A new promotion has been launched offering special deals on West End hotels and theatres when staying on a Friday evening in London.

The “Fantastic Fridays” promotion from westendtheatre.com will run until the end of October 2010 and offers a Top Price Seat to a hit show and a Friday night stay in a central London 4 Star Hotel for only £79* per person.

Chicago: The sexy tale of murderous showgirls.

Shows included in the special theatre and hotel package range from smash-hit musicals such as Wicked, Chicago, Grease, Blood Brothers, Dreamboats and Petticoats and Stomp, to hilarious comedy The 39 Steps and thriller The Woman in Black.

Editor of westendtheatre.com Paul Raven told TravelPlus: “We wanted to create a promotion that would help people from outside of London to come and enjoy a show. By offering a great value package that combines a central London hotel and top price ticket to a show, we’ve hopefully made it easy for people to enjoy a theatre break in the capital”.

To book visit: www.westendtheatre.com

SHOWS INCLUDED IN THE PROMOTION:

Wicked (musical): Winner of this year’s audience award at the Olivier awards, Wicked is one of the biggest and most successful shows in London (Apollo Victoria Theatre); Blood Brothers (musical): Willy Russell’s award-winning musical about twins separated at birth, currently starring The Spice Girls’ Melanie C (Phoenix Theatre); Chicago (musical): The sexy tale of murderous showgirls, featuring hit songs and plenty of razzle dazzle (Cambridge Theatre); Grease (musical): Fun and fabulous high school musical now starring Robin Cousins (Piccadilly Theatre); Dreamboats & Petticoats (musical): A love story set in 1961 against a backdrop of fabulous Sixties songs (Playhouse Theatre); Stomp (entertainment): Theatre, dance, comedy and percussion all combine in this infectious and ingenious show (Ambassadors Theatre); The 39 Steps (comedy): A fast-paced, high-energy and hilarious adaptation of Hitchcock’s classic movie (Criterion Theatre); The Woman in Black (thriller): Terrifying ghost story now in its 21st year in the West End, starring Orlando Wells (Fortune Theatre). 

4/13/2010 9:26:35 PM UTC    Comments 

MSC Cruises has always offered value for money, with children up to the age of 18 cruising for free, when sharing a cabin with two adults, paying port taxes, flights and transfers only (where applicable).

Now MSC Cruises offer more, with the launch of its new all inclusive beverage package, available on all MSC ships, allowing passengers to enjoy free drinks on board, available from all restaurants, the self service buffet, bars and the cabin mini bar. 

To celebrate the launch of these packages, MSC Cruises is offering, for the month of March, these inclusive packages for free, with all balcony cabins booked this month on sister ships MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia (offer ends 31 March 2010). The packages include select wines by the bottle and by the glass, beer, cocktails, soft drinks, mini bar (excluding champagne), ice-cream and water (at restaurants and the buffet).

Prices start from £999 pp including fly/cruise and all inclusive drinks package (based on April and November 2010 departures on MSC Splendida and April and October 2010 sailings on MSC Fantasia). 

The itineraries included in the MSC March 2010 offer include:

MSC Splendida on all seven night Mediterranean cruises, departing from March to November 2010, sailing to France, Spain, Tunisia, Malta and Italy. 

MSC Fantasia on all seven night cruises, departing from March to October 2010 calling at ports in Italy, Tunisia, Balearic Islands, Spain and France.

www.msccruises.co.uk

3/8/2010 5:19:04 PM UTC    Comments 

Something magical is happening at The Alnwick Gardens this month, as Alice and Wonderland comes to town.
 
From the 13th to the 28th February, The Garden will be filled with fun and fantasy as Britain’s favourite children’s story comes alive with the famous – and infamous – Wonderland characters.
 
There will be mad hatter tea parties, March Hare dancing and Alice in Wonderland fancy dress...watch out for the Queen of Hearts as she stomps around The Garden looking for people having too much fun – off with your head!
 
The Alnwick Garden has become known worldwide for its gigantic Treehouse, mysterious Poison Garden, beautiful water sculptures and unconventional - yet family friendly - garden design.

www.alnwickgarden.com

2/4/2010 12:27:39 PM UTC    Comments 

Boingo, has announced it has signed an exclusive deal with BAA to be the sole provider of retail Wi-Fi services at six major airports in the United Kingdom.

The airports to be powered by Boingo include London Heathrow, London Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Southampton. Wi-Fi services were previously provided in parallel by multiple operators, including Boingo.

“Boingo’s proven track record as the global leader in neutral host airport Wi-Fi was crucial to our decision,” said Ian Denchfield, Head of Commercial Telecoms for BAA.  “The company’s dedication to world-class customer service and neutral host roaming, as well as longstanding success in network reliability and revenue growth, made them the obvious choice.”

“BAA’s UK airports are the crown jewels of hotspots in the British Isles,” said David Hagan, CEO and president, Boingo Wireless. “We intend to bring our full complement of expertise to bear in ensuring travelers have an optimal Wi-Fi experience when flying into, out of, or through the UK and on to their final destinations.

After connecting to the “Boingo Hotspot”, travellers will be redirected to a Boingo landing page -- accessible on both laptop and mobile devices -- with several Wi-Fi access options including day passes and subscriptions, with options to choose local or global access and pay in Pounds Sterling or the Euro.

www.boingo.com.

2/1/2010 3:54:06 PM UTC    Comments 

OAG announce the winners of the 2009 OAG Airline Industry Awards. Known as the “Oscars of the Airline Industry,” 2009 marks the 27th anniversary of the awards, which are significant and valued in the airline industry because the awards are voted for by frequent flyers around the globe. The OAG Airline Industry Awards demonstrate OAG’s commitment to the airline industry by recognizing excellence in air travel.

Winners of the 2009 OAG Airline Industry Awards include:

Airline of the Year: Singapore Airlines

Best Transatlantic Airline: Virgin Atlantic

Best Business Class: Continental Airlines

Best Airline based in North America: Continental

Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent: Emirates

Best Low-Cost Airline: Southwest

Best Airline Based in Central South America & Caribbean: LAN

Best Airline based in Africa: South African Airlines

Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe: CSA Czech Airlines

Best Airline Based in Australia/Pacific: Qantas

“We are proud to distribute the 2009 OAG Airline Industry Awards to airlines and airports who work hard every day to give travelers the best flying experience possible,” said Peter von Moltke, CEO of UBM Aviation. 

Winners are chosen by asking frequent flyers to consider which airlines they have flown in the past 12 months in each of the award categories and rank their top three airlines for each category.

Full list of all winners, visit www.oagairlineawards.com/Winners.

11/20/2009 2:53:41 PM UTC    Comments 

GARRICK THEATRE, LONDON, 19 OCTOBER - 3 JANUARY

In this spectacular and magical new production specially created for London Arturo Brachetti brings over one hundred characters to the stage, a dazzling performance that has to be seen to be believed. See the September/October issue of TravelPlus for more details of the show.

From the Queen to Harry Potter via James Bond and Gene Kelly, you'll be astounded as he transforms between characters in the blink of an eye!

Don't miss your chance to win a pair of tickets to this sensational production! To enter simply answer the following question:

How many characters does Brachetti bring to the stage in just one performance?

a. 10,    b. 60,   c. Over 100

To enter click here Register

10/20/2009 6:17:16 PM UTC    Comments 

TOP TAM, Brazil’s largest and most prestigious tourism award, has landed in the United Kingdom. The event in London, on Tuesday 15 September, was the last in a series of ceremonies organised by TAM Airlines that have crossed Brazil and the globe since early August. Other countries visited by TOP TAM prior to the UK include Argentina, Paraguay, Spain, Germany, France, Italy and the United States. TOP TAM, as an award, is in its 11th year.

In London TAM Airlines, the southern hemisphere’s largest carrier, hosted some of its leading travel agency and tour operator partners to a typical South American lunch at El Gaucho in Chelsea Market. The winners of TOP TAM UK were announced during the lunch that counted on the presence of industry guests and TAM executives.

Agents recognised by TAM during the lunch included Advanced Travel Partner, Bravo Travel, Crystal Travel, Flight Centre, Holiday Express, Ipanema Travel, Journey Latin America, Star Travel, Steamond Travel and STA Travel.

Besides honouring the top generating agencies and operators in the UK, the overall winning agency, Journey Latin America, represented at the lunch by managing director Sarah Bradley, were invited to attend the closing gala ceremony of TOP TAM 2009 in Brazil. The finale takes place in October at the new Iberostar Resort in Praia do Forte, Bahia, 75km north of Salvador.

“This is the first time that we have held a regional version of TOP TAM in the United Kingdom to honour the agents and operators that have produced such excellent results in this region of the world. The awards recognise the work of these professionals and their important role in the growth of our company,” says Paulo Castello Branco, TAM’s Commercial and Planning Vice-President.

As well as congratulating all the TOP TAM winners in the UK that were present at the lunch, and thanking them for their help in growing TAM’s business and revenues in the UK and Ireland, Sue Faithfull, TAM’s General Manager UK & Ireland, took time to thank and note the contribution made by TAM’s other major partners in the UK market. Partners that include American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, Flightbookers, Hogg Robinson, lastminute.com, Opodo, and Trailfinders, among others.

Sue Faithfull, TAM’s General Manager UK & Ireland, with Sarah Bradley,    Managing Director of Journey Latin America, the overall winner of        TOP TAM UK 2009

9/16/2009 11:10:00 AM UTC    Comments 

The pound reached a one-month high against a largely weak dollar following the Bank of England Monetary Policy Commission meeting on Thursday, the pressure felt at the beginning of the week eased as the announcement confirmed that interest rates would remain unchanged for the sixth consecutive month, the quantitative easing programme was also without amendment. The pound versus the euro also saw a limited gain at the start of trading on Friday, but has lost ground since Friday of last week.
 
Also in the week UK manufacturing output rose at its fastest rate in 18 months, reinforcing the belief that the UK is on track to emerge from its recession in the third quarter by recording positive growth. Consumer confidence is also increasing according to data released showing a higher than expected reading.
 
August passenger numbers released from British Airports Authority saw a decrease overall of 3.1% compared to August last year, however, some 14.4 million people travelled. Heathrow saw an increase in passengers this August, with declines in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stansted numbers.
 
Early signs in September show that there is a continuing, almost August-like demand for currency at No1 Currency outlets indicating that appetite for late summer overseas holidays remains strong. Also, some British football clubs will play their first away fixture in the respective UEFA competitions during this month, the large clubs always take a healthy travelling support and sales of euros are anticipated to be solid.
 
This week No1 Currency customers saw the pound reach a high of €1.111 for the euro, the dollar reached $1.606 and the Turkish Lire a high of TL 2.357.
 
Our aim is to provide regular, incisive and concise commentary. We will continue to closely monitor the week’s data releases and give you our view on the performance of the pound against the big two currencies, euro and dollar. 

9/11/2009 2:52:18 PM UTC    Comments 

Sporting a new-look red cover, this year’s guide includes 573 of the best pubs serving good food in the UK and Ireland (10 more than last year) and of these, 83 are new additions.

Commenting on this year’s guide, Derek Bulmer, the editor says: “Judging by the number of new entries we have found for this year’s guide it would seem that reports of the death of the British pub have been grossly exaggerated. Establishments that have adapted to the changing habits of their customers by offering good quality, value for money food are thriving. In fact, I would go as far as to say that food could be the saviour of our pub industry – especially in rural areas.”

Although all of the pubs featured in this year’s guide offer great food, one stood out as offering that little bit extra. The Masons Arms in Knowstone, Devon has been selected as the 2010 Michelin Pub of the Year. As well as excellent cuisine, The Masons Arms offers a combination of a welcoming atmosphere, friendly service, quality beers, an excellent wine list and that certain something that makes it special for visitors and locals alike. See separate press release.

In addition to regional maps showing the locations of the pubs, there is a listing of the Inspectors’ favourite establishments, an index by town name and another by pub name.

Each entry in the guide features an in-depth description and colour photograph, and there is information on typical dishes and specialities, the beer they serve – including real ales, and a symbol to denote particularly interesting wine lists.  Other essential information includes opening times and prices, directions and driving distances from local towns and details of accommodation where available.

9/9/2009 9:12:42 AM UTC    Comments 

Autumn promotion sees Hairspray, Jersey Boys, Sister Act, Billy Elliot reduced. A major new promotion has been launched by London theatre website westendtheatre.com , offering thousands of reduced-price tickets to see West End musicals this autumn.

Discounted tickets include recent Tony award winner Billy Elliot (£22.50 off), Olivier award winning musical Jersey Boys (25% off), big-budget and big-haired musical Hairspray (£27.50 off), Whoopi Goldberg’s new production of Sister Act starring Patina Miller and Sheila Hancock (£23 off), movie-to-stage show Dirty Dancing (£20 off) and Grease starring Dancing on Ice winner Ray Quinn (£21 off).

NEW SHOWS REDUCED
To celebrate the start of the new season of plays and musicals launching in London, westendtheatre.com has also reduced tickets on new shows including The Rise and Fall of Little Voice starring X-Factor runner-up Diana Vickers, Joe Orton bio-play Prick Up Your Ears starring Little Britain’s Matt Lucas, Sean Mathias’ major new production of Breakfast At Tiffany’s starring Anna Friel and a new stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption starring The Wire’s Reg E. Cathey.

Marketing Director Mark Temple-Brown said: “Autumn is the most critical time for new shows opening in London and the West End has launched an amazing new season of plays and musicals this year. We are delighted that we can celebrate this new season by reducing prices on thousands of tickets to see some of London’s top shows.”

www.westendtheatre.com

9/8/2009 1:54:59 PM UTC    Comments 

Hilton Shanghai is offering a new feature to offer connoisseurs a fresh venue to savour fine cigars.  Just launched in June, Libre Cigar Lounge, provides individuals who love this genteel recreation with more than 20 brands and 60 types of Cuba’s best products.  The collection includes limited versions of cigars with essences ranging from light to strong.  It is located at the western area of the hotel lobby. 

The name of the cigar lounge originates from an established hotel in Cuba, originally a Hilton hotel but now carries the name, Libre Hotel.  With the name Libre (Spanish term for liberal) the lounge is designed to give guests an unrestrained, atmospheric environment as they light up and relish the delicate and emphatic aroma of a truly superior cigar.

Cigars indicate elegance and sophistication – a pleasure enjoyed through the ages by sophisticated individuals with discriminating preferences. This stylish habit has brought forth the birth of cigar lounges, a favourite haunt of people seeking the ultimate place to enjoy its distinctive qualities.  

8/13/2009 10:21:04 AM UTC    Comments 

A ‘London Luxury’ theatre break from just £67 per person is now available through Keith Prowse Tours 

The selection of one-night shorties includes a top-price seat at most of the West End’s popular shows and a night plus full English breakfast at the four-star St Ermins Jolly Hotel, Victoria.  The cost is based on two people sharing and is subject to space available.

Musicals such as Hairspray, Sister Act and We Will Rock You feature in a choice of some 20 plus shows.

www.keithprowse.com

8/4/2009 1:46:08 PM UTC    Comments 

With summer 2009 dubbed as ‘The Great British Staycation’, Avis Rent A Car decided to put the Nation to the test to see how well we know our city skylines from our hidden gems.

The findings revealed some shocking results; 45% of us don’t know where Stonehenge is, and over 30% confused the Scottish Sands of Morar for a beach in the Caribbean!  British city skylines were mistaken for Sao Paulo and New York, and UK ports were thought as beautiful as those of Cyprus. However, all is not lost - 74% of respondents confirmed that the Angel of The North is situated in Gateshead and 65% knew that the White Horse landmark is in Wiltshire.

Perhaps the most shocking result of all was that 40% of us could not identify the oldest and largest castle in the world - Windsor Castle, an Official Residence of Her Majesty The Queen!

It goes to show that there’s a wealth of world-class destinations and spectacular scenery right here in Britain – from stunning cityscapes to idyllic beaches – and you don’t need to go too far to see them!

As part of its Best of British campaign, Avis is encouraging everyone to explore and discover what we have on our own doorstep.  To help you get out and about, Avis Staff have compiled a ‘Best of British’ guide on the avis.co.uk website. 

If you have a favourite Great British destination you’d like to share then log on to www.wetryharder.co.uk and share your Best of British tips!

7/28/2009 10:48:17 PM UTC    Comments 

Join Born Free on a unique journey to the spiritual home of Elsa the lioness. Elsa was famously raised by game warden George Adamson, and his wife Joy, after being orphaned at just a few weeks old. The Adamson’s formed a close bond with Elsa, and were determined to teach her to hunt and survive alone in the wild. Elsa’s story traveled worldwide – first in print, and later on film.

Born Free Exclusive 25th Anniversary Kenya Safari  31st October -13th November 2009

Price per person £3999.99 based on 2 people sharing a twin room

For more information about this unique holiday experience please visit: http://www.bornfree.org.uk/get-involved/holidays/

7/23/2009 12:09:38 PM UTC    Comments 

This September, get out the secateurs and take part in Champagne’s annual vendange (grape harvest) on specialist operator Grape Escapes’ Harvest Weekend.

Grape Escape’s one-off Harvest Weekend runs from 18 – 20 September and gives wine lovers the opportunity to spend time in a small, family run Grand Cru Champagne House and join the locals picking grapes, sample freshly pressed grape juice and share stories over a traditional harvester’s lunch.

Grand Cru Champagne is considered the best of its kind and is only produced in 17 villages in the region. Each year armies of pickers take part in the annual vendange to gather thousands of tons of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes by hand.

The Harvest Weekend costs from £359 per person and includes a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing with P&O Ferries for a car and two passengers; two-nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation; a full day private coach tour including a visit to a small Champagne House to pick grapes and taste the freshly pressed grape juice and a traditional three-course harvesters’ lunch with Champagnes; a visit to a prestigious Champagne House, including tastings; a gala four-course dinner at a local restaurant in the evening; and an English speaking guide for the tour who will provide information on the region and the wines.

Grape Escapes target their breaks at the wine enthusiast, whether they be connoisseurs or amateurs wanting to find out more about good food and wine.

www.grapeescapes.net

7/15/2009 4:32:17 PM UTC    Comments 

Quirinale, an elegant and understated restaurant just two minutes walk from the Houses of Parliament, has launched its summer menu. Appropriately named after Rome’s seventh hill and presidential palace, Quirinale is well-loved by local residents and business people for its fresh take on regional Italian cooking. The light, airy space, designed by David Collins, offers a cool and stylish respite from the summer heat.

Critically acclaimed Head Chef Stefano Savio’s new menu showcases the finest seasonal ingredients with tempting dishes such as grilled courgette and asparagus with buffalo ricotta, warm spelt salad with baby octopus and fresh peas, and straccetti with basil pesto and spring vegetables. Regulars will be pleased to know that Quirinale signature dishes such as malloreddus with Italian sausage and Sardinian pecorino, and bigoli with duck ragù and porcini mushrooms are still available, and perfectly executed fish and meat dishes range from a classic fillet of Scottish beef with potato and wild mushrooms to an innovative dish of sea trout with shallots, almonds and asparagus. Customers can round off their meal with a warm chocolate budino with vanilla ice cream or indulge in what is surely the finest Italian cheeseboard in London, perhaps with a glass of Marsala.

The wine list is an oenophile’s delight; overseen by Valentina Cassandro, it focuses mainly on Italian wines and is divided by region. The list features very reasonably priced Italian greats (Brigaldara Valpolicella Classico, £25.00), more unusual indigenous grapes (Cottanera Barbazzale Nerello Mascalese, £25) and Italian takes on classic varietals (Castello Banfi Fontanelle Chardonnay Sant’Animo, £33). As well as Prosecco and Champagne, there are even two Italian méthode Champenoise whites (Bellavista Cuvée Brut Bellavista Franciacorta, £54) and many wines are available by the glass or half bottle. 

Owned by Nadine Gourgey, Quirinale has gone from strength to strength since opening in 2002. Brescia-born Stefano Savio is known for his flair and imaginative dishes; together with the discreet but charming staff he has ensured consistently splendid reviews over the last seven years. Due to high demand, the restaurant will open on Saturday evenings from September 2009, and a private catering service, Quirinale a Casa, was also launched recently.

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday
Lunch: 12.00 – 14.30
Dinner: 18.00 – 22.301 Great Peter Street
London
SW1P 3LL

Telephone: 020 7222 7080

7/13/2009 10:27:36 AM UTC    Comments 

Finnair has launched an online competition that will give golfers around the world the chance to win a spot on the Finnair Masters Golf Tournament in Finland this August.

The Finnair Masters is the most prestigious golfing event held in Finland. Now in its fifth year, over 120 top female golfers from around the world will be competing for the total prize money of 200,000 Euros at Helsinki Golf Club on August 28 to 30, 2009.

Through the Finnair Masters Global Challenge amateur golfers can win a spot at the Finnair Masters in Finland this August. Golfers from anywhere in the world can play by simply registering their golf rounds at the Finnair Masters web site.

By entering their scores, they can get the chance to win a spot at the Finnair Masters Pro-Am in Helsinki, Finland. The three best players will be flown by to Helsinki to participate, with flights, accommodations and tournament expenses paid in the Finnair Masters Pro-am and the pro-am gala dinner.

www.finnairmasters.com

7/13/2009 9:59:07 AM UTC    Comments 

This week saw the launch of award-winning Indian casual dining restaurant Masala Zone’s new branch in Bayswater, bringing the taste of real Indian food to West London. The launch, hosted by Chairman, Mr. Ranjit Mathrani, was attended by a host of food industry aficionados, VIP’s and high profile dignitaries.

Guests were indulged with a bespoke menu at the launch, featuring Masala Zone’s signature offering of real Indian food. Dishes included: mini onion bhajias; tiranga dhokla, cocktail size chicken samosas with tomato chutney; Farsli patice; mini shami kebabs; and chicken tikka biryani.

Speaking of his delight at the launch of the new Bayswater branch, Chairman, Mr Ranjit Mathrani said, “We hope the public share the view about our brand in this time of uncertainty and recession. Serving real Indian food of quality at under £15 a head is a challenge. 

The impressive site of the new Masala Zone Bayswater restaurant, originally a bank, will entertain diners against the vibrant backdrop of an exotic pop art collage of firecracker labels from the town of Sivakasi in Southern Tamil Nadu, home to the world’s second largest printing press. 
 
Masala Zone serves delicious, authentic and wholesome Indian food, covering dishes from street food favourites, tandoori grills and curries from many regions of India, to traditional home-style balanced thali meals.

Masala Zone’s Bayswater restaurant is located at 75, Bishops Bridge Road, Bayswater, London W2 6BG.

www.masalazone.com 
 

7/10/2009 1:03:08 PM UTC    Comments 

Hungary has a growing reputation for producing excellent wines and the annual Budapest International Wine Festival in September gives wine lovers the perfect opportunity for tasting some of them, whilst enjoying the stunning backdrop of the Buda Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Wine Festival takes place from 9-13 September on the terraces of Buda Castle, overlooking the Pest side of city and it’s wonderfully lively time to visit one of the world’s most picturesque capital cities. The five day festival opens at 2pm on the 9th & 10th, 12pm on 11th and from 10am on 12th and 13th and is open until 11pm everyday – so there is plenty of time to sample as many wines as possible over a weekend stay.

Around 170 Hungarian wineries will exhibit as well as a few other wine producing countries and it’s a great opportunity to learn about the wines, as well as enjoy traditional food and festivities. Gastronomy is a huge part of the festival and there are plenty of Hungarian delicacies that can be tried including scones baked on site, many varieties of cheese and grilled meats.

There will be around 1,000 wines to sample, as well as a grape wine auction, grape harvest procession, plus cultural programmes including many musical concerts. On the Saturday there is a Harvest Parade starting at 1pm, with around 800 representatives from the various wine regions dressed in folk costumes and ending with a lovely show on the festival stage.

www.winefestival.hu.

7/1/2009 6:45:21 PM UTC    Comments 

The latest addition to The Natural History Museum event space portfolio is unveiled, The Tree Gallery. With the museum’s largest dendrology specimen integrated into the ceiling, this functional gallery accommodates up to 50 for a seated dinner and 60 for a stand up reception.

The new events space is ideal for last minute occasions with room hire available in a six week window. The Tree Gallery is available seven days a week from £5,000.

The Gallery’s artwork, a 17metre long wafer thin section of an entire 200 year old oak tree embedded into the ceiling, was designed by Tania Kovats and commissioned to celebrate Charles Darwin’s bicentenary. It draws its inspiration from the iconic tree of life drawing by Darwin which sketches out the evolutionist’s scientific ideas and theories.

The Tree Gallery is the first of three new up and coming event spaces at the Natural History Museum, which include the West Garden and the Darwin Centre. The latter encapsulates a scientific research centre and embodies innovative ways in which the natural world can be discovered. These join the current two event spaces, Central Hall and the Earth Galleries, in hosting important business events, awards dinners, fashion shows and many other functions - adding another branch to this ever growing museum. 

7/1/2009 9:27:22 AM UTC    Comments 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Fat Duck Group have joined forces to create the first London restaurant with Chef Heston Blumenthal which will open at Mandarin Oriental’s award winning property in autumn 2010. 

Blumenthal, of the three Michelin starred The Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire and The Hinds Head pub of the same village, has won international acclaim for his unique and multi-sensory approach to cooking.  This first restaurant to open outside of the village of Bray will feature the chef’s inimitable style of culinary alchemy with a menu heavily influenced by his ongoing research and discovery of historic British gastronomy.

Seating 140 guests, the new restaurant will serve lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. The kitchen will be headed by Ashley Palmer Watts who has worked with Blumenthal at The Fat Duck for nine years in the capacity of Group Executive Chef. 

Blumenthal commented “I am thrilled at the prospect of opening a restaurant in such a central London location. I have great respect for the Mandarin Oriental brand and working in partnership with the hotel group is a natural step and one which offers an exciting opportunity.”

“We are delighted to partner with The Fat Duck Group on this very exciting new venture. A longtime friend of Heston’s, I have always shared his enthusiasm for English recipes and have enjoyed working with him to help develop talented British chefs through the Roux Scholarship programme,” stated David Nicholls, Corporate Director of Food & Beverage of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

www.mandarinoriental.com.  

6/25/2009 9:37:48 AM UTC    Comments 

London theatre website westendtheatre.com has launched a major new summer "Dine for Free" promotion, offering thousands of free meals in West End restaurants when booking tickets to a show.

As well as free dining, many of the packages in the promotion also include money off the theatre ticket - making this a great-value way of dining out and enjoying the best of the West End.

Shows featured in the promotion include major musical HAIRSPRAY, with ticket and meal deals costing from only £28.50, Michael Jackson tribute show THRILLER LIVE (meal and ticket £24.95), brand new rock 'n' roll musical DREAMBOATS AND PETTITCOATS (meal and ticket from £24.99) and Chicago - currently starring Jerry Springer and featuring Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams from 17 July (meal and ticket from £27.50). Other big-name shows include Sister Act, Wicked, We Will Rock You, Calendar Girls, La Cage Aux Folles and Les Miserables.

Restaurants in the promotion include some of the tastiest places to eat in the city, including the Hampshire, Christopher's, Chez Gerard at the Opera Terrace, Thai Square, Livebait, Ping Pong, The Langley, Salvador Amanda and Ascots.

All the restaurants are guaranteed to be close to their corresponding theatre, and a table reservation is automatically made on booking to ensure that the evening goes perfectly to plan. Many of the packages include a choice of either pre or post theatre dining, allowing customers to choose whether to eat before or after the show.

Marketing Director Mark Temple-Brown said: "Summer is a great time for London theatre with an influx of both domestic and international visitors into the capital. When you are a visitor you want to make life easy - so we hope that our Dine for Free promotion will combine value for money with help in organising your theatrical night out."

www.westendtheatre.com

6/24/2009 9:36:24 AM UTC    Comments 

This summer The Good Pub Guide unveils its new interactive website which provides an on-the-move and up-to-the-minute guide to all UK pubs. So even without the book, you can get the invaluable guidance of its decades of expertise and hot tips from its many thousand reader-reporters, free from its new website

"Over one in four of our thousand-plus top pub recommendations has a really nice garden," says editor Fiona Stapley. "So if the weather turns up trumps, you can enjoy all the best of British pubbing outside, in appealing surroundings. But if it turns grey, what you'll find inside will be top-notch too." The Guide's spot-on descriptions take you to good waterside pubs, too - around one in twelve of the better pubs is well placed by river, sea or lake.

The website provides browsers with access to over 55,000 pubs with features that help find the perfect destination for that special outing. The entire list of carefully selected Good Pub Guide recommendations and descriptions from the UK's annual guidebook is on the site with the added bonus of latest news, customer ratings and comments with space for publicans to announce 'what's on' every week. Each entry has full contact details and an integrated Google map.

www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk.

6/19/2009 9:25:29 PM UTC    Comments 

Covent Garden has collaborated with world-renowned historian and novelist, Peter Ackroyd, to unveil the captivating history behind London’s most famous Piazza. The Covent Garden Walking Tour, launching this summer, is a self guided journey across the UK’s first ever public square, built in 1630, which brings the area’s rich history and enthralling heritage to life.

Visitors will be guided past historical sites such as the café where legendary author Charles Dickens wrote his weekly magazines, the eerie site of the first plague victim’s burial and the Lamb & Flag pub where ferocious bare knuckle boxing once took place.

The Covent Garden Walking Tour highlights the area’s fascinating heritage, breathtaking architecture and details enthralling events the area has witnessed throughout its history. The Walking Tour will be downloadable from the Covent Garden London website and a hard-copy version will be available from the Market Building.

www.coventgardenlondonuk.com

6/12/2009 3:00:18 PM UTC    Comments 

Nothing beats a glass of Pimm’s on a summer’s day. The very British beverage is almost as much a tradition as the cup of tea and nothing evokes the pleasures of an English summer as much as a chilled glass of Pimm’s. 

Head mixologist, Joel Lawrence, has created a special summer Pimm’s cocktail menu and has introduced a special offer to launch the St James’s “Club Pimm’s” for residents and non-residents alike. Anyone trying one of Joel’s summer Pimm’s creations at the stylish St James’s Hotel and Club bar from 6.00pm to 11.00pm on any night will get the second one free!

Guests can choose from the following six Pimm’s concoctions, all priced at only £9.50:

• Pimm’s Classic... enjoyed in the traditional fashion
• Scarlet Pimpernel... a class act inspired from the 18th century (Pimm’s, Triple Sec, Cranberry, Lime juice)
• English Passion Pimm’s... with a full burst of passion (Pimm’s, Zubrovka, passion fruit, sugar)
• Maximum Voltage Pimm’s... all that tradition blown way out of proportion (Pimm’s, Zubrovka, Cointreau)
• Wimbledon Pimm’s... is in season with Strawberries and Cream (Pimm’s, Gin, Strawberry syrup, cream)
• Pimmed out... just when you think that you can’t take anymore (Pimm’s Classic served in a Hurricane glass with ice and twice as much fruit and topped up with Champagne!)
                                                    
  For reservations, please call 020 7316 1614 / reservations@stjameshotelandclub.com

History of Pimm’s: It all began in a London oyster bar in the 1840’s, the owner, James Pimm, invented a secret mix of Gin, Herbs and Quinine and then served the brew as an aid to digestion. After the 2nd World War, Pimm’s as it is known today, extended their range with different spirits as bases for the new cups:No.2 – Scotch,
No.3 – Brandy (Wintertime) this one is still in production, No.4 – Rum, No.5 – Rye and No.6 Vodka

6/10/2009 10:25:14 AM UTC    Comments 

Business Travel Market founder and event director Paul Robin met with London Mayor Boris Johnson at City Hall this week to discuss Business Travel Market, the new event for the European business travel industry taking place June 17th & 18th at ExCeL. Joining Boris and Paul were Emma Harris, from founding partner Eurostar and Shirley Marguerite from platinum sponsor Qatar Airways.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: ‘I am delighted that London is hosting Business Travel Market 2009. It will be an honour for the city to host this major forum.  I am encouraged Business Travel Market is hosting this event at ExCeL and presenting a strong positive message to the industry at this crucial time. A warm welcome will be extended to all delegates during their time in London.’

Paul Robin, event director & founder commented: ‘I am delighted that the Mayor’s office sees the significance of business travel and the importance of keeping the industry running efficiently at this time. The fact we are holding this pan-European event in London, solidifies the Capital as a great place to do business, and the Mayor recognised the economic benefits of our event.  We were pleased we could update Mayor Johnson on Business Travel Market, and having his support to bring this first year event to London is fantastic.’

www.businesstravelmarket.co.uk                                     

6/4/2009 8:53:27 AM UTC    Comments 

The Northern Broadsides and West Yorkshire Playhouse highly acclaimed production of Othello, starring Lenny Henry in the title role, will transfer to Trafalgar Studios in London from 11 September following a sell-out, regional tour. It is scheduled to play through 12 December.

Love, racism, jealousy and desire are at the emotional core of Shakespeare's monumental tragedy, a tender love story shattered by one man's obsessive hatred of another. Othello is noble, brave and victorious. Iago, passed over for a position in the army, fuels his diabolical revenge with hatred and snarling racism. Poignant, intense and heartbreaking, Othello mercilessly explores every inch of the human condition.

Orwell,  A Celebration featuring the West End premiere of the critically acclaimed adaptation of Coming Up for Air, extracts from Nineteen Eighty-Four and two other rare shorts, will play at the Trafalgar Studios from 8 June to 4 July, followed by Ella Hickson's Eight from 6 to 25 July. Eight offers eight captivating monologues that give a group-portrait of Britain's youth. From high-class hookers and 7/7 survivors to squaddies making friends in morgues, the monologues are hugely effecting. The play scooped a Fringe First and 'Best of the Edinburgh Festival' awards.

http://www.ambassadortickets.com

5/21/2009 6:06:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Visitors to a new London bar could be in danger of “breathe driving” with a special room offering the ability to experience a “breathable cocktail.” The Alcoholic Architecture bar on Ganton Street is charging patrons £5 to enter a room filled with a fabulous cloud of vaporised gin and tonic. Stays in the room are limited to 60 minutes at a time, which is estimated to be equivalent to between one and two drinks. A spokesman for the venue says guests are being advised to “breathe responsibly.”

If you do have to many 'breathes' can you go back in the morning for an 'air of the dog'.

5/3/2009 11:28:18 AM UTC    Comments 

Sunglasses, first-aid kit and currency – they’re probably all on your holiday must-haves list, but what about financial protection of your holiday? According to a survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of the Department for Transport, over half of holidaymakers (57%) don’t always check if their holiday is protected when they book.

To help with your travel planning, the Government has published information on financial protection aimed specifically at holidaymakers on the Directgov website www.direct.gov.uk/holidayprotection. Almost half of those surveyed (43%) admitted not knowing where to go for advice on whether their holiday is protected, or for advice on what to do if their travel company or airline goes out of business (49%). So now is the right time, as the peak travel season approaches, to inform travellers that this information is now available on the Directgov website.

www.direct.gov.uk/holidayprotection

5/3/2009 11:20:46 AM UTC    Comments 

ITV Hell’s Kitchen chef Marco Pierre White is to host private cooking and tasting sessions on board on the P&O Cruise ship Ventura, where the self-proclaimed godfather of modern British cooking oversees an on board restaurant, the White Room.

The interactive sessions will involve participants joining the celebrity chef as he creates a three-course meal. They will then and taste the finished dishes.

4/19/2009 4:30:02 PM UTC    Comments 

Singapore Airlines, together with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Singapore Changi Airport, are offering all its customers the Fabulous Singapore Stopover Package for just US$1 for the first night stay in Singapore.

This Stopover package covers exclusive deals on hotel accommodation, airport transfers and entry to some of Singapore’s leading tourist attractions.
Customers will each be given Sin$10 Changi vouchers, which they can use to pay for purchases at the many retail and food and beverage outlets at Changi Airport.

They can also take advantage of free ground transfers to and from Changi Airport and unlimited use of the Singapore Airlines’ “Hop-On Bus” – an air-conditioned bus service that allows customers to visit over 20 major attractions in Singapore.

The package also includes free admission to attractions, a 50% dining discount at designated food outlets at selected hotels, a free SingTel Prepaid Mobile hi!Card, which customers can use to make calls and Singapore Airlines Boarding Pass Privileges, which offer discounts on shopping, dining, sightseeing tours, tourist attractions and car rentals when customers present their Singapore Airlines boarding passes.

This attractive package is valid for travel and hotel stay from 15 April to 30 September 2009. At US$1 for the first night, travellers can choose to stay from a list of six hotels.

4/19/2009 4:16:54 PM UTC    Comments 

The Estonian Golf & Country Club is looking to attract UK golfers with some fantastic golfing deals this summer.

Estonia, just a two-and-a-half hour flight from the UK, is still a relatively unknown quantity for UK golfers but offers some first-class facilities.

The Estonian Golf & Country Club, situated only 25 minutes from the medieval capital city Tallinn, is one of seven courses in the country and the only PGA European Tour course in Eastern Europe.

The club offers 27 holes of golf located within a beautiful natural setting: the 18-hole Sea Course and the nine-hole Stone Course.
 
UK golfers can take advantage of some outstanding spring and summer savings with packages starting from £106 per person, and three nights’ city-centre accommodation, three rounds of golf and transfers available from £310.

In addition, guests staying at The Estonian Golf & Country Club can have additional rounds of golf arranged at other courses near Tallinn if requested when booking.

4/15/2009 8:02:35 AM UTC    Comments 

Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world's largest hospitality companies, has expanded the innovative Women on Their Way programme to include an online community where women can exchange ideas, request advice and share tips on topics ranging from family travel to great books to read on the road.

Users will be able to sign up for a free membership to become contributors to the online community. Members may post to message boards on topics including: girlfriend getaways, travel with pets, romantic trips, multi-generational travel, business travel, safety tips, destination weddings and honeymoons, budget travel, GLBT-friendly travel and more.

www.wyndhamworldwide.com  

4/11/2009 10:24:10 AM UTC    Comments 

A Travelsupermarket.com survey has highlighted the comeback of the traditional British holiday park this summer.

In a poll of 2,012 adult Brits one in 10 are more likely to visit a holiday park this summer due to the credit crunch.

Travelsupermarket says nostalgic Brits plan to flock to the likes of Butlins, Pontins, Haven and Center Parcs this year, even so 6% said they haven’t been to one since they were a child.

www.travelsupermarket.com

4/11/2009 10:12:49 AM UTC    Comments 

The British travel industry has had a busy morning launching a range of unique new tourism offerings in conjunction with today’s date.

Virgin Atlantic was one of the first off the rank, announcing new flights to Santiago in Chile, with the services offering Spanish speaking crew, a “dedicated South American menu...with after dinner mints to soothe after the spicy meal” and a statement from Virgin’s new manager for Chile - named ‘Hal Apeno’.

Meanwhile Thomson also apparently held a “midnight press conference” at which MD Chris Browne announced the launch of Thomson’s new ‘Spaircraft’ - “the world’s first commercial airliner that will take holidaymakers into space and to their destination in record time.”

And trade publication TTG sent out an email this morning with the hot news that Dubai is to build the world’s first hovering hotel - a 20-room boutique ‘pod’ floating above the ground.

Finnaly Skyscanner also put out a statement confirming that Ryanair was set to launch a new ‘Ryanair Plus’ class offering such unimaginable luxuries as sick bags, seat pockets, reclining seats and check-in desks.

4/1/2009 1:49:51 PM UTC    Comments 

A new survey of business leaders finds that while corporate travel budgets are often the first target of cost-cutting measures, a majority believe that companies that increase travel budgets during an economic downturn will be better positioned to build competitive advantage.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of businesses surveyed say that increasing travel while others are cutting back creates an opportunity to build market share and new customer relationships. Half (53%) also believe that companies that reduce their business travel will give an advantage to competitors who maintain their travel commitment.

"It's a classic trade off between short term cost-reductions and long term value," said Kellogg Business School Professor Daniel Diermeier, a Distinguished Professor of Regulation and Competitive Practice. "During times like these, many companies will go too far, and actually cut back on the activities that would best position them to compete in the future."

3/15/2009 7:10:55 PM UTC    Comments 

Yannick Franques is awarded his first Michelin star and recommended for a second for his menu at Le Saint-Martin at Chateau Saint Martin & Spa.

Situated within the picturesque Chateau Saint Martin and Spa, a fortified Monastery dating back to Roman times, Le Saint-Martin is a refined restaurant seating 35 guests and celebrates the talent of head chef, Yannick Franques. Blending tradition and modernity, this former student of Alain Ducasse, Christian Constant and Eric Fréchon takes an inspired new look at great French classics.

A craftsman of authenticity, Yannick Franques prepares dishes of sheer excellence that give priority to superb fresh ingredients. Yannick has a serious approach to cuisine, not only implementing precision in timing but also incorporating inventive surprises into his seasonings.

The superb offerings on Le Saint-Martin menu (which changes four times a year), include:

Poached sole, glazed with beurre noisette zabaglione, cream of lamb’s lettuce and capers

Pan-fried sea bass, lettuce heart just seared with smoked almonds, emulsion of pitacou and candied lemon

Lobster roasted with coral, bulgur steamed in coconut milk, curry and preserved lemon vinaigrette

Spit roasted pigeon, wasabi crumble, preserved leg of fat bacon, glazed turnips with rosemary

Roasted lamb with herbs, crispy saffron surprise, tajine flavour jus

Le Saint-Martin
Chateau Saint Martin & Spa
Avenue des Templiers.
06 140 Vence

Reservations +33(0)4 93 58 02 02
www.chateau-st-martin.com

3/5/2009 9:41:58 AM UTC    Comments 

The recession is boosting the appeal of self-catering holidays, according to responsibletravel.com.

The ethical travel company said its website has seen an 81% year on year increase in the number of people enquiring about self catering eco accommodation for groups of up to 10 people.

It also reported a 54% year on year increase in self-catering holidays in general.

www.responsibletravel.com

2/22/2009 12:34:00 PM UTC    Comments 

The ‘baby boomer’ generation of grandparents refuse to act their age – according to new research released by the University of Brighton, in association with Grand Breaks, the holiday specialist for grandparents and their grandchildren.

The research explored how today’s grandparents like to spend leisure time with their grandchildren and revealed that grandparents perceive themselves to be a lot younger in their lifestyles than people of their age in previous generations. Furthermore, their age is no longer seen as a constraining factor to travel.

84 per cent of grandparents surveyed thought that travelling was an important part in their grandchildren’s education and an opportunity to provide non-classroom based learning and discover new things in life.

66 per cent of grandparents want to try new activities, share experiences and discover new things together with their grandchildren, rather than be observers or bystanders.

87 per cent wanted to show their grandchildren that it is fun and exciting to do things with their grandparents.

2/22/2009 11:24:19 AM UTC    Comments 

Holiday spending money will go furthest in Hungary and the Czech Republic, according to a recent survey by the Post Office. Further afield, cash-strapped Brits will find they are best off in Thailand and South Africa, where costs are lower and the pound is stronger.

The survey found that Turkey, Bulgaria and Croatia are cheaper than any of the eurozone countries, although Spain made it into the top 10 lowest-priced destinations. Key eurozone destinations like Greece and France are also now looking more competitive.

The South Africa rand is worth over 8% less than a year ago, making it the fourth cheapest in the table of 27 countries. In Kenya, a weaker shilling, hotel and flight discounts and low tourist costs make the destination an attractive prospect.

The Post Office’s Worldwide Holiday Costs barometer measured the cost of tourist staples in 27 countries.

The top 10 cheapest destinations are listed below.

The figure shown is the total cost of buying a cup of coffee, bottle of Heineken and a can of Coco Cola in a cafe, a bottle of mineral water, sun cream, insect repellent from a supermarket, a packet of Marlboro Lights, and a three-course evening meal with wine in a local restaurant.

Prices are the lowest average resort prices supplied by tourist offices.

HUNGARY £35.72
CZECH REPUBLIC £37.32
THAILAND £39.27
SOUTH AFRICA £43.18
MALAYSIA £45.19
TURKEY £52.32
BULGARIA £52.52
KENYA £52.60
CROATIA £61.58
SPAIN £64.18

1/28/2009 9:06:24 AM UTC    Comments 

Specialist operator Sanctuary Retreats is launching a range of offers for those looking to travel on a luxury cruise, stay in a deluxe villa or go to a safari lodge or camp this year. The offers are part of Sanctuary Retreats’ 10th anniversary celebrations. Sanctuary Retreats opened its first property, Olonana, in Kenya in June 1999.
  
·     Six nights for the price of four at Sanctuary Retreats’ Swala and Kusini camps in Tanzania (two nights minimum at each of Swala and Kusini)
·     Ten nights for the price of eight at Sanctuary Retreats’ lodges and camps in Zambia and Botswana (five nights in each country)
·     Ten percent discount on balloon safaris with a champagne breakfast in the bush or a ten percent discount on spa treatments at Sanctuary Retreats’ Olonana in Kenya for the month of June 2009
·     Cheapest cabin goes free on Sanctuary Retreats’ Yangzi Explorer in China when booking for a group of ten or more
·     One night at Sanctuary Retreats’ Chief’s Camp in Botswana available at the original 1999 opening rack rate ($636; today’s price: $1,250) when booking four nights or more during August 2009
·     Ten percent discount off all bookings with Sanctuary Retreats’ luxury villas made during the month of June 2009
·     Every night at Sanctuary Retreats’ Olonana in Kenya available at the original 1999 opening rack rate ($210; today’s price: $350-$700) when booking four nights or more during June 20009

Sanctuary Retreats’ properties can be booked through a number of tour operators, including:
 
Abercrombie & Kent www.abercrombiekent.co.uk  
Africa Travel Centre www.africatravel.co.uk  
Audley Travel www.audleytravel.com  
Carrier www.carrier.co.uk
Cox & Kings www.coxandkings.co.uk  
Expert Africa www.expertafrica.com   
Kuoni www.kuoni.co.uk   
Steppes Travel www.steppestravel.co.uk   

1/28/2009 8:51:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Half term is nearly here and Retallack Resort & Spa in Cornwall is offering a fantastic rate of only £95 per person for one week in a 2 bedroom lodge over the half term week (13th – 20th February) and free bike hire for the whole family!

Complete with a fabulous concierge service that will offer you tips and advice on local attractions, Retallack Resort is a gorgeous collection of self catering lodges ideally positioned amongst Cornwall’s green rolling hills. Enjoy some quality family time together, grab your bikes and take in the Cornish air by exploring the famous Camel Trail with breathtaking views of the area and gentle rides along the spectacular North Cornish coast. Return to the resort for more family fun with more complimentary activities including a visit from Newquay Zoo and Newquay Aquarium offering your kids a chance to hold small beasties and aquatic life and listen to an educational wildlife chat that will bring adventures on land and under the sea to life.

With Padstow, Wadebridge and Newquay and local attractions such The Eden Project all on your doorstep, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy this Half Term.

Retallack Resort is 8 miles from Newquay Airport and 8 miles from Bodmin Parkway train station.

www.retallackresort.com  

1/25/2009 12:48:29 PM UTC    Comments 

Valentine’s is a perfect time to indulge in a romantic getaway. Several hotels of Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts have created special packages for an overnight stay, a long weekend, or more time to enjoy romance on and around Valentine’s Day.

Hotels in he programme include: Grand Efes, Izmir, Swissôtel Berlin, Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul, Swissôtel Tallinn, Estonia, The Howard, London, Swissôtel Bremen, Amsterdam, Zurich, Moscow, Chicago and Ankara.

www.swissotel.com

Whisk your loved one away for a night of romance at the stylish Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel beside the Thames at Marlow, Bucks from just £199 for two including dinner. With its stunning river views, candlelit dining rooms and four-poster bedrooms and suites, this incredibly romantic hotel is sure to set the mood for love.

On Friday, 13 February the two AA Rosette Bowaters Restaurant will be hosting a three- course dinner with live jazz entertainment, while on Saturday there is a special four-course Valentine’s menu created by head chef David Smith. Guests dining on Saturday can join the hotel’s resident pianist in the cocktail bar for drinks before dinner and there’s a rose for every lady.

www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/compleatangler

One of Scotland’s most romantic hotels, The Torridon, provide the perfect Highland hideaway for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day of fine dining, romance and relaxation.

A grand turreted shooting lodge, The Torridon is set in the rugged wilds of the north west Highlands of Scotland, just 75 minutes’ drive from the city of Inverness with its range of air and rail links.

Set in 58 acres of glorious parkland, complete with shaggy-coated Highland cattle, The Torridon and its spectacular environs are made for romantic walks – whether along the coastline with its varied marine wildlife, or in the hills where the red and roe deer roam.

Back indoors, big comfortable couches and slouchy armchairs in front of a roaring fire encourage romantic snuggling, while the intimate wood-panelled malt whisky bar is the perfect place to sample one of the 320 malts on offer.

For total tranquillity, fine food and wine, exceptional service and luxurious accommodation - all within a few hours of Edinburgh, Glasgow and London (via Inverness) – treat your true love to Valentine’s Day at The Torridon this year.

Prices from £230 per room per night including Scottish breakfast, romantic four-course candlelit dinner, box of handmade chocolates in the room and a welcome afternoon tea on arrival.

www.thetorridon.com

If you want to give your loved one to a Valentine’s gift they’ll never forget, treat them to a luxury classic car holiday with a difference. Nostalgic can put you behind the wheel of the elegant Alfa Romeo Spider, so you can drive one of Italy’s most iconic cars through some of Europe’s most romantic landscapes.

More than just a self-drive holiday, this unique driving experience will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Choose to tour the secluded, winding roads of Tuscany where you will experience the la dolce vita lifestyle first-hand. For a totally different Italian experience, explore the romance and glittering shores of Lake Maggiore, or be seduced by the rugged hills of Sicily, all at the helm of your classic sports car. Alternatively, if you’re seeking a return to the glamorous days of the 1950s French Riviera, then Nostalgic can make your dreams come true with their brand new Cote d’Azur itinerary.

The 25 elegant, open-top Italian sports cars are all in first-class condition and Nostalgic’s Alfa Romeo fleet includes the Giulia Spider, Giulietta Spider, 2600 Spider and the 2000 Spider.

www.nostalgic.eu

Spend a romantic Valentine’s Day break in beautiful Dorset at a cosy, rural retreat, with the help of local specialists, Dorset Coastal Cottages.

Properties on offer include The Tack Room, sits adjacent to a superb Grade II listed 18th century Manor House in Winfrith Newburgh, near Lulworth Cove. A romantic dinner can be taken at Pebbles restaurant in Lulworth Cove, which specialises in game and seafood. The cottage costs £275 for seven nights from the 13th February.

The two bedroom Stonechat Cottage is fabulously located in the village of Worth Matravers, just a couple of miles away from Swanage. The property is romantic and quirky, oozing character and charm. Within walking distance is the renowned Square & Compass Pub – one of only ten in the UK to feature in every issue of the Good Pub Guide. Stonechat costs £340 for seven nights from 13th February

When you walk into the Secret Garden, you won’t be surprised to know that it is owned by a local interior designer. This gorgeous cottage, is small but perfectly formed and has everything you need for a romantic weekend including a magical secret garden just a few steps from the property. Within walking distance is one of the areas best fine dining experiences – the Bridge House Hotel. Enjoy a five course Valentine’s dinner on either the 13th or 14th including a complimentary welcome Kir Royale, for £49.50 per head. The Secret Garden sleeps three in two bedrooms and costs £340 for seven nights, for the week commencing 13th February.

www.dorsetcoastalcottages.com

With its erupting geysers, magical lava landscapes and majestic glaciers there is a lot to love about Iceland and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Icelandair wants to share the love with its Loving Iceland City Break for only £225.

Icelandair Loving Iceland City Break for £225 offer must be booked by 31 January 2009. Travel is permitted from 12 January to 31 March making it the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. The package includes flights from London Heathrow to Reykjavik, three nights accommodation at the 3-star Hotel Cabin and all taxes. Upgrades to other hotels including the four-star Hilton Nordica and an extra night supplement are also available.

www.icelandair.co.uk 

1/18/2009 4:56:19 PM UTC    Comments 

Make the most of the newly extended duty free allowance and take your sale shopping to Dubai this January. The Dubai Shopping Festival, a month-long shopping, entertainment, and cultural extravaganza begins on 15 January 2009.

During the Dubai Shopping Festival, the emirate puts its most exciting shopping opportunities on show, from the bustling textile and spice souks and the renowned Gold Souks with over 400 jewellery shops, to the electronic markets and famous shopping malls.

Leading Middle East hotel company Rotana is delighted to offer a wealth of accommodation packages, spanning the company’s ten Dubai properties.
 
Kuoni (www.kuoni.co.uk) offers five nights at the Towers Rotana, Dubai on a bed and breakfast basis in a classic room, including flights with British Airways from Heathrow with transfers in resort. Prices for January/February 2009 start from £764 per person based on two sharing.

www.rotana.com

1/2/2009 7:58:56 PM UTC    Comments 

TRAVELPLUS WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

1/2/2009 7:56:41 PM UTC    Comments 

BEFORE WE GO TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS YEARS OFFICE PARTY (YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT LAST YEAR'S), TRAVELPLUS WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE WHO HAS SENT IN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BLOG THIS YEAR AND OUR READERS FOR TAKING AN INTEREST AND READING THEM , A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

12/24/2008 11:15:58 AM UTC    Comments 

New for 2009, Hotel L'Avenida, Mallorca's chic eight-bedroom boutique hotel in the heart of Soller on the island's North West coast, is introducing a ‘Flavours of Mallorca’ cookery and foodie weekend throughout February, March and October 2009.

From 12th February 2009, the cookery courses will operate every weekend in February, March and October, with guests arriving on a Thursday and beginning their stay with an informal evening of tapas and local wine tasting at L'Avenida.

The ‘Flavours of Mallorca’ cookery weekend costs €1485 per person (approx £1,240 per person) and includes three night's accommodation based on two people sharing a double room, continental breakfast, all tuition, food and wine relating to the demonstrations (excluding mini bar consumption), gala dinner on Friday night, return airport transfers, transfers to the bodega and the bodega tour. For the cookery weekends to take place, a minimum of six and maximum of 16 people are required. Spa treatments cost from €40 per person.

www.avenida-hotel.com

12/24/2008 9:38:07 AM UTC    Comments 

Holiday-Rentals has launched the free-to-download Holiday-Rentals Travel Cookbook, containing holiday homeowners’ favourite regional recipes from around the world. With over 90 recipes from 14 countries, personal tips and comments, and links to beautiful holiday home rentals, this inspirational free e-book provides plenty of food for thought for a gastro-break.

As a nation of food and travel lovers, a large part of the holiday experience now is sampling the local gastronomy and many people enjoy the interaction when buying local produce. So for those looking for an authentic foodie holiday, there’s no better option than to self-cater as it provides the flexibility to eat out, or experiment at ‘home’.

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/travelcookbook 

12/24/2008 9:31:37 AM UTC    Comments 

It seems that despite the current economic situation we believe holidays are important. According to a new poll for holiday add-ons firm Holiday Extras 51.8% of people had not downscaled or postponed their holiday plans since the credit crunch.
 
About a quarter had made some slight changes to their travel plans with only 10% indicated that they were making dramatic changes to their holiday arrangements because of the credit crunch.

There are deals available from operators and airlines but is worth remembering the number of travel companies that have gone this year. Therefore you might like to use an ABTA registered travel agent on a credit card as this can provide protection if something should go wrong.

12/7/2008 10:13:51 AM UTC    Comments 

Aldi discount supermarkets is launching a travel website in January and claims the venture will turn the online travel industry on its head.

Although Aldi will offer a wide range of destinations, it will only work with a limited number of suppliers who can guarantee exclusive deals.

They will initially be looking to put together summer sun holidays and will then turn their attention to city breaks and ski breaks.

Once selected, suppliers will also have the opportunity to be featured as one of six special holiday deals, which will be promoted in a fortnightly leaflet distributed in Aldi stores.

Around 900,000 leaflets will be distributed to Aldi customers across the UK.

These fortnightly special deals will also be featured in Aldi’s special offers magazine distributed at cashier desks.

The retailer, which has 7,000 stores globally, already sells holidays in Austria, Switzerland and Germany, where it works in partnership with Eurotours International.

11/16/2008 11:57:09 AM UTC    Comments 

Still not sure what to do for Christmas this year? Family-friendly travel company www.totstotravel.co.uk suggests trying something different by celebrating the festive season in France or Italy. The company has several properties available with lots of little extras to make Christmas special for parents and kids.

“Christmas is a wonderful time in France and Italy, with plenty of markets selling gifts, handcrafted ornaments and food. Towns and villages are decorated prettily with many larger towns featuring outdoor ice rinks. It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas slightly differently and our property owners will be on hand to make it magical,” says Wendy Shand, founder of Tots to Travel.

Sample properties include:
In Italy:

Casa Alexa (http://www.totstoitaly.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=0201)

For a white Christmas, this stunning property in the Marche region of Italy sleeps 10 plus 3 cots – so ideal for a family or group of friends going away together (3 double bedrooms, 2 twins, 4 bathrooms). It has an open fire, central heating and stunning views of the snow covered Siblini Mountains which are just 30 minutes away (suitable for sledging and skiing day trips). The property owners will be putting up a Christmas tree and decorating the house for guests. They will provide Christmas lunch free of charge. In the area there are plenty of Christmas markets to visit. Servigliano (10 min drive) has an outdoor ice-rink in the main square and Sant Angelo in Pontano (10 min drive) has an exhibition of nativity scenes. For new year, there will plenty of firework displays. The owners can tell guests where to get up high to watch them for miles around with no crowds. They can also cater for a New Year party or dinner. Cost is £1625 for the week 20 – 27 Dec or 27 Dec – 3 Jan. Nearest airport is Ancona (75 mins away) which is served by Ryanair.

In France:

The Cottage (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk/property_detail.php?id=0122)

This beautiful three bedroomed cottage sleeping six (plus babies) is an hour’s drive from Toulouse. It has a wood-burning stove for cosy nights in. The cottage will be tastefully decorated and a Christmas tree provided. The welcome pack would include homemade mince pies, champagne Gaillac style and chocolate Santas. Christmas cakes can be made to order. Guests will be invited to join the owners on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and/or Boxing Day for festive nibbles and drinks. And weather permitting, a festive treasure hunt can be arranged for children. There are a number of Christmas markets in Toulouse, Albi and Cordes with an ice rink outside Albi cathedral. Albi Cathedral also has a number of Christmas services and concerts to provide a really traditional Christmas atmosphere. Cost is £875 for the week 20 – 27 December. Closest airports are Toulouse (Flybe, BA, Easyjet, Jet2) or Rodez (Ryanair).

www.totstotravel.co.uk  

11/16/2008 11:29:28 AM UTC    Comments 

Qantas Holidays has produced its first dedicated Asia brochure featuring Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia, Singapore, Bali & Lombok, Malaysia, Hong Kong & China, Japan and India.

The brochure offers several multi-centre holiday ideas for the independent traveller seeking ideas and inspiration. It also provides options for everyone - beach getaways, cultural experiences, action & adventure and sheer pampering & indulgence - all within a wide range of budget options, from best value to luxury.

www.qantasholidays.co.uk  

11/16/2008 10:44:12 AM UTC    Comments 

If you want to go to a Christmas market in Europe but don’t know quite where to go why not try 2008 details www.christmas-markets.org

Over 100 individual destination pages with descriptions, timings and images to get you into the festive mood. In many instances there are also direct links to local web sites. Also included are some of the major attractions that have a host of events in the build up to Christmas to get you in the Festive mood.

www.christmas-markets.org

11/2/2008 5:41:21 PM UTC    Comments 

Citybreaks.org.uk has come up with their Top 5 spooky happenings across the UK for you to discover at Halloween.

Portsmouth - Dark Encounters
Join a Dark Encounter, great for beginners or experienced investigators alike, and solve the mysteries of Portsmouth, one of the most haunted cities on the South Coast. Or take a ghost walk around Old Portsmouth with costumed guides, hop on board a ghost bus for a trip around the darker side of the city, or sign up for a full-on ghost investigation… if you dare!
 

Rochester/Medway - Halloween Horrors at Fort Amherst
Explore the haunted Napoleonic tunnels at Fort Amherst. The theme this year is Carnival so expect to see all manner of freaks and performers keeping you company on your tour. The show does have a strong horror theme and is suitable for families although we do recommend parental discretion. Under 16’s have to be accompanied by an adult (21 over).
 

Bradford - Halloween Weekend 
Haworth is a small village close to Bradford that was once home to the Brontes.
The graveyard of Haworth Parish Church is thought to house over 40,000 graves, some buried 10 deep and including the Bronte tomb. Follow Phil Lister, a local guide, on The Lanternlight Graveyard Tour as he tells the stories of those buried in the graveyard.
 
Liverpool - The Shiverpool Tours
Join a Shiverpool guided ghost walk and discover Liverpool’s hidden mysteries and supernatural secrets. Taking the chance to hear Liverpool’s sinister and haunted tales through a full theatrical and interactive experience – on the most haunting weekend of the year.

Newcastle/Gateshead - Spooky Science Week
Have a spooktacular time at the Centre for Life with a range of ghoulish activities and eerie experiments. Slime and potion labs, spooky science trolleys and a daily treasure hunt will keep the kids happy. Watch out for the Really Rotten Show in our Life Theatre (all about yukky decomposition). Prepare for a spine tingling experience in the Haunted House (our Halloween Crazy Motion Ride) and enjoy everything else that Life has to offer.

Newcastle/Gateshead - Happy Halloween 

Bring your own pumpkin and join the parade of fancy dress. There will be prizes for the best-dressed children and adults. You could also hone those pumpkin carving skills at a BALTIC workshop – Thursday, 30th and Friday, 31st October and show of your carving skills at the parade.

 
www.citybreaks.org.uk

10/21/2008 10:01:02 AM UTC    Comments 

The organiser of the annual World Testicle Cooking Championships, held in Serbia, has shared his secrets with the publication of what he claims is the world’s first testicle recipe book. Dubbed The Testicle Cookbook - Cooking with Balls, recipes include testicle pizza and battered testicles as well as fancier dishes such as calf testicles in red wine sauce.
Author Ljubomir Erovic is self-taught in the exotic art of gonad based cuisine, and said testicles are “rich in testosterone.” The Serbian Tourism Board sponsors the championships
that last year attracted chefs from around the globe.

10/7/2008 9:37:39 AM UTC    Comments 

Christmas Day is traditionally the one day of the year where the whole family gets together to exchange presents, to catch up on gossip and most importantly to sit down and eat together. You plan the perfect meal: a succulent turkey, crispy roast potatoes and beautiful Christmas pudding but how often does this turn out as you imagine? The turkey’s not big enough, you’ve forgotten to buy the goose fat to roast the potatoes etc. etc - so many things to go wrong and no time to put them right!

The Christmas Dinner Company offers the perfect solution with an all-in-one luxury Christmas dinner package which includes all the essential ingredients fresh, chilled and direct to your door: all sauces made, vegetables peeled and chopped and all the little finishing touches that turn a meal into a banquet.

Delivered fresh to your doorstep on 23rd December, The Christmas Dinner Company package only includes the finest ingredients from leading quality and organic brands. You will receive the ‘Rolls Royce’ of turkeys - a Kelly Bronze, organic stuffing and sausages and traditional bread sauce, to fully prepared and peeled vegetables.

For dessert there is a scrumptious Christmas pudding, a miniature bottle of vodka for flambéing, as well as traditional brandy butter made with fine French brandy and star-topped mini mince pies.

To complete the stress free experience, you will also receive detailed step-by-step cooking instructions, a time-plan to help organise your Christmas day and not forgetting the correct size turkey roasting tin. There are delicious recipe ideas for any leftovers and a heavy cotton quality apron to get you in the Christmas cooking spirit! And because all the trimmings are included, there won’t be any last minute panic shopping for the chipolata sausages and the cranberry sauce.

The Christmas Dinner Company offers packages for 6-8 people at £395 and 10 – 12 people at £595.

www.thechristmasdinnercompany.co.uk

9/30/2008 8:43:08 AM UTC    Comments 

A Japanese businessman who trained for a 10-day flight aboard the International Space Station is suing the US-based space-tour operator, Space Adventures, to get back the US$25 million he paid for the flight. News.com. au has reported that Daisuke Enomoto, 37, completed his training and planned to fly to the station aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule in September 2006. However he was pulled from the three-member crew a month before liftoff, to be replaced by Dallas businesswoman Anousheh Ansari. Enomoto alleges that Ansari was chosen to replace him because she was an investor in Space Adventures. The tour operator however, has argues that Enomoto does not qualify for a refund as he was “medically disqualified”.

9/29/2008 12:48:18 PM UTC    Comments 

Police in Brazil have caught up with a driver who managed to accumulate US$1.9 million in speeding fines. The BBC reported that Sao Paolo police who pulled over ArmandoClemente da Silva were shocked to discover he had clocked up nearly 1,000 violations. Da Silva, 36, racked up the fines for speeding and running red lights over a seven-year period. His car has now been impounded and Brazilian media report that it will be returned in the unlikely event that Silva pays off his fines within 90 days. The 12 year-old car is thought to be worth US$6,500.

9/29/2008 12:37:05 PM UTC    Comments 

Customs officials at Frankfurt Airport in Germany have arrested a 29-year-old man after finding more than €8.7m in cash inside his luggage. The haul, in €50 and €100 notes, was discovered during a routine check and was the largest ever sum seized by customs from an individual in Germany, with the passenger now being investigated on suspicion of money laundering.

Reports don’t say whether he’d had to pay for excess baggage.

9/29/2008 12:34:43 PM UTC    Comments 

An Argentine tourist got the city name right, but the continent wrong when she booked a vacation to Australia, and found herself in easternmost Canada.

Monique Rozanes Torres Aguero of Buenos Aires had wanted to travel to Sydney, Australia, but ended up instead in the former coal and steel mill town of Sydney, Nova Scotia.

The mix-up, due to inattention while booking flights online, became evident when she boarded a small propeller plane in Halifax that would take her on the last leg of her journey. 

But rather than make a fuss, Ms Torres decided to stay and make the best of her trip.

"When things happen, you let them happen," she said through an interpreter.

Apparently, it is not the first time Canada has welcomed tourists intended for Australia.

In 2002, two Britons also mistakenly landed in Canada's sleepy Sydney, instead of Australia's bustling metropolis, a Cape Breton tourism spokeswoman said.

9/28/2008 10:39:57 AM UTC    Comments 

If you believe what you read, the financial storm clouds will continue to build across the City of London and much of Europe and North America for some time to come. Yet despite all the doom and gloom we should never forget that travel and tourism is a truly global industry.

Competing on a global playing field means that there are still many areas of the pitch where economies, if not booming, are certainly not in the downward spiral that the UK economy appears to be in. Markets such as the Gulf, Brazil, Australia, China and many, many others. That's an awful lot of people who will continue to want to travel the world.

In the current stormy climate the biggest danger for airlines, tour operators, and even the banks, is the question of consumer confidence. Older frequent flyers will remember all too well the demise of the once all conquering Pan Am in the late 1980s. The lack of market confidence - as frequent flyers rushed to cash in their free mileage - helped push the airline over the edge and into bankruptcy.

After the recent demise of MaxJet, Silverjet, Zoom, XL and many others, one cannot blame any frequent traveller from being a little bit more cautious as to who they make their forward travel plans with in terms of transport and accommodation. This could hurt the little guys badly, but it will do a power of good for the big established brands.

Perhaps it is appropriate at a time that we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dad's Army that we decide what economic camp we sit in. Are you a follower of the Private Frazer school of thought that "We're all doomed"? Or are you in the Corporal Jones camp, as TravelPlus is, in which case: "Don't Panic!"

And remember, even the storm clouds must have silver lining in them for somebody.

Simon Ward

9/23/2008 1:26:29 PM UTC    Comments 

You don’t have to star in ‘Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory’ to thoroughly over-indulge yourself during National Chocolate Week...

In celebration of National Chocolate Week (13 – 19 October 2008), Linthwaite House, a boutique hotel in the heart of the Lake District, will be offering guests a ‘Chocolate Indulgence’ experience.

Set on a gentle hillside with stunning views over the surrounding fells and Lake Windermere, Linthwaite is guaranteeing to have chocolate lovers swooning with warm ‘Chocolat’ aromas and tasty treats as soon as they walk in the door.

Offering freshly baked chocolate biscuits and the promise of a selection of steaming hot chocolate drinks on arrival, guests can leisurely relax in the knowledge that there is some seriously luxurious chocolate moments to be had.

From sunrise with ‘pain au chocolat’ to bedtime and pillow chocolates, there will be something to tantalise even the most discerning connoisseurs.

With much chocolate to be devoured throughout the week, the more fit and figure conscious might like to build up an appetite and burn off a few calories by exploring the many famous walking trails, outdoor activities and attractions that are easily accessed from the hotel. Whether burning up a hill on a mountain bike, horse-riding across the fells or wandering into Bowness village for a spot of shopping, rest assured that any cravings will be well satiated on your return.

A stay at Linthwaite House starts from £135/person/night including a four course gourmet dinner, full English breakfast, free wireless, service charges and VAT.

www.linthwaite.com

9/21/2008 5:04:53 PM UTC    Comments 

TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel community has announced the top 10 wine destinations in the world, according to TripAdvisor editors and traveller popularity.

1. Geaux Bordeaux: Bordeaux, France
Perhaps the world’s most famous wine destination, the Bordeaux region of France has long been renowned for its vineyards that produce everything from delicious table wines to the most expensive bottles in the world. In Bordeaux, the French passion for food and wine unite for a sensational wine-tasting experience.

2. Golden Grapes: Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley has long been synonymous with superb wine and striking scenery, both of which draw millions of wine lovers to the region each year. Home to nearly 400 unique wineries, the valley has a Mediterranean climate that is ideal for growing a variety of grapes, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Zinfandel.

3. Keen on Chianti: Tuscany, Italy
Famed for its reds like Chianti and Montalcino, the Tuscany region of Italy is a delight for the senses. Celebrated not only for its vineyards and its cuisine, its sheer natural and historic beauty make it one of the world’s most sought-after destinations and a magical place to taste the local “vino.”

4. A Bit of the Bubbly: Champagne-Ardenne, France
The Champagne province is famous for the beloved sparkling white wine that shares its name. Its neatly-tended vineyards amongst a picturesque natural landscape, rich history, and unique culture make this region as vibrant as its effervescent wine.

5. Raising the Barossa: Barossa Valley, Australia
This scenic region in Southern Australia is highly regarded for its Shiraz and its other robust varieties of red wine. Characterized by its visibly rich German heritage, along with its rolling, vine-covered hills, Barossa Valley is a uniquely beautiful destination for sightseers and wine connoisseurs alike.

6. Spanish Inbibation: La Rioja, Spain
Spain’s most famous wine destination, Rioja is divided into three regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. Most recognized for its outstanding reds, the region’s wines are particularly distinctive because of the oak aging and delicious vanilla flavors.

7. To the Moon: Sonoma Valley, California
Nicknamed the “Valley of the Moon” by legendary writer and one time Sonoma local Jack London, the Valley features amazing vineyards, with particularly remarkable whites, as well as beautiful scenery and charming towns.

8. Grand Central: Valle Central, Chile
Just outside the Chilean capital of Santiago, the gorgeous Valle Central set among the Andes Mountains and Pacific Ocean is internationally acclaimed. Wine enthusiasts will be particularly fond of the Maipo Valley’s cabernets, and the Curicó’s chardonnays.

9. Great Escape: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Home to one of South Africa’s most visited wine routes, Stellenbosch is the heart of the Cape Winelands region, with more than 100 wine cellars to visit surrounding the culturally rich center town of Stellenbosch.

10. Blanc Stare: Marlborough, New Zealand
Located on the southern island of New Zealand, Marlborough is widely regarded as the country’s birthplace of winemaking. Famous for its white wine varietals, the region is best known for its delectable Sauvignon Blancs.

“In addition to supplying some of the finest wines to the world, these destinations offer visitors outstanding hotels, restaurants and wine tours,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

www.tripadvisor.com

9/21/2008 4:39:07 PM UTC    Comments 

There is a hotel in Marmaris, Turkey, that now only employs women, after the manager found that male staff were spending too much time trying to seduce older female British guests.

Manager Pelin Yucel said she was sick of sacking waiters at her 27-room Image Hotel after finding them in “compromising positions” with Shirley Valentine-type tourists.

“The last straw was when I caught my bartender coming out of a toilet with a woman guest. She was embarrassed but he was beaming all over his face.” Pelin said she also always hesitated to contact her night receptionist “because he was always in bed with one of the customers.”

9/19/2008 7:56:17 AM UTC    Comments 

For a chance to witness Ricky Hatton take on Paulie Malignaggi for the IBF Light-Welterweight Championship Belt in November, American Sky has put together some fantastic deals from Dublin. Prices start from as little as €1,338 per person including flights from Dublin, four nights at New York New York Hotel and entry tickets to the MGM Grand main event evening on November 22.

With numerous flight and accommodation options, boxing enthusiasts are encouraged to enjoy everything that Las Vegas has to offer. From the Strip, where visitors will find the infamous casinos, high-flying rides and amusement parks galore, to a range of outdoor activities in the surrounding rough-and-rugged desert landscape; there is plenty to keep holidaymakers busy.

All packages are subject to limited availability and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

www.americansky.ie  

9/19/2008 7:45:47 AM UTC    Comments 

For those who want to commemorate a special event or any milestone with a befitting once-in-a-lifetime experience, Jeffersons private jet holiday operator offers the ultimate in indulgent and entirely bespoke packages, providing not just an incredibly memorable trip at the chosen destination, but an unforgettable experience from start to finish.

Jeffersons will tailor-make itineraries to suit every individual requirement, departing from a local airport, on any size aircraft, to any city and sourcing the best rooms at any hotel, chalet or yacht in Europe and beyond.

Because a Jeffersons’ holiday is all about creating the perfect experience, suited 100% to the clients, it is the customer themselves, with help from the operator’s expert luxury travel consultants, who will ultimately choose the different parts to make up their dream trip. However, Jeffersons has created a few exclusive milestone packages for those that might find it hard to decide.

Sample idea:
A private jet day trip for six to Champagne costs from £1,470 per person and includes return flights by Premier 1 private jet, champagne, soft drinks and a Jeffersons hamper with Beluga caviar on board, limousine transfers, a private tour and tasting at Pommery Champagne, six course gourmet tasting lunch at the two Michelin starred Chateau les Crayeres including wine and champagne and a Jeffersons travel portfolio (based on departures from Farnborough until September 08). Overnight stays can also be arranged with tastings at further champagne houses.

www.jeffersons.com

9/18/2008 7:59:08 AM UTC    Comments 

Caxton FX’s revolutionary prepaid MasterCard has suddenly made travelling a lot easier. The ultimate companion for jet-setting travellers, the card is specifically designed for those who want the ease and convenience of a plastic abroad.

Instead of being caught out by hidden charges, join the burgeoning club of frequent travellers swapping travellers cheques and credit cards for a Caxton card overseas. Whether skiing in Val Thorens or shopping in New York, travellers can now enjoy the ease and added security of a Caxton FX currency Card.

Added to this, Caxton FX guarantees the best exchange rate, the card is free and there are no conversion or transaction fees – perfect for those who regularly travel to the States or Europe and want to avoid bank fees.

The prepaid Dollar or Euro MasterCard® is applied for online and loaded with up to £5000 worth of spending money. It can be re-charged anywhere in the world free of charge online, over the phone or via SMS making it a safe and simple alternative to traditional spending methods.

Caxtonfx’s chief executive Rupert Lee-Browne says ‘We’re excited to offer genuine savings on holiday expenses with this revolutionary method of spending – a prospect the savvy traveller will relish as the ‘new’ currency.’

www.caxtonfxcard.com.

9/17/2008 7:55:26 AM UTC    Comments 

Jetlag, a stiff neck and a cranky demeanor can ruin the festive spirit for those flying home for Christmas.

But now, giving the gift of a good night’s sleep has never been easier. Economy fliers can upgrade for just £20 thanks to the Jetsleeper.

Jetsleeper pillows are self-expanding and airmiles ahead of other sleep aids. The Jetsleeper attaches to your head and arms rests, allowing the adjustable pillow to fully support the head and neck.

Inventor Tim Williams says: “The Jetsleeper is proving a big success despite splitting the Dragon’s Den judges down the middle.”

Weighing less than a mobile phone, the Jetsleeper comes in its own pocket-size bag, making it the perfect gift for the frequent flyer.

9/14/2008 8:39:44 AM UTC    Comments 

The National Trust, which owns more than 360 holiday cottages in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, has seen a steady rise in bookings throughout 2008 and it looks like being a record year for income from which helps support the charity’s conservation work.

“We have cottages in some of the most stunning locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so we can offer a fantastic holiday, whatever the weather,” said Richard Day, the Trust’s Head of Holidays.

“It’s too early to say whether the increase in bookings we have seen is a result of the looming economic downturn, but one factor for this year could be that we have our largest selection of holiday cottages available ever.”

New holiday cottages available for the first time this year include Shedbush Farmhouse, a grade II listed thatched Dorset property dating from the 17th century, and the medieval house Egryn in the foothills of Snowdonia in North Wales.

www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk

9/14/2008 8:30:15 AM UTC    Comments 

Research by Cheapflights.co.uk reveals a trend towards nudity as increasing numbers of holiday makers prefer to strip off on the beach.

A recent poll from Cheapflights.co.uk also shows that ten percent of its viewers would choose to leave their clothes behind on holiday.

Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk says, “Although I don’t personally intend on swapping my bikini for my white bits anytime soon, I have encountered many a skinny dipper in my time and the most important piece of advice I’ve gleaned is that sun block is essential, particularly for those with sensitive skin like myself. And if you’ve already burnt any areas where the sun doesn’t normally shine, some effective natural remedies include milk compresses, refrigerated Aloe Vera gel, and/or bathing in lavender oil. Failing that, you could always reach for some anti-inflammatory tablets.”

For a full list of where to express your naked ambitions, visit www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/nude-beaches

8/27/2008 1:00:49 PM UTC    Comments 

Some tour operators are asking us to forget that August has been somewhat of a washout and look forward to an Indian summer over the October half term.

Cornish Horizons for example are extolling the praises of their fair county and offering great savings on their properties such as 12 Strand Street in Padstow. It is a cottage of character sleeping 8 in an ideal location for surfing and foodies alike with a surf school and 6 Rick Stein restaurants as well as the others he has influenced in the area.

Cornish Horizons is offering a half term saving of £230 for seven nights at 12 Strand Street from 25 October as well as a range of other properties across north and mid Cornwall.

www.cornishhorizons.co.uk

8/25/2008 10:32:43 AM UTC    Comments 

Although the summer is not over companies are already looking at the autumn half term break

Family holiday specialist Mallorca Farmhouses is suggesting Mallorca. It has an extensive selection of luxury villas, country houses and charming cottages to choose from, all come with a swimming pool, complimentary car hire with full insurance, maid service and a welcome hamper. Babysitting and cook services are available on request to ensure parents can truly relax and not lift a finger!

Temperatures on the island at that time of year should be in the high 20 degrees Celsius. Hot enough for swimming but not too hot for sightseeing.

Prices in October start from as little as £623.00 per week for a farmhouse with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and swimming pool in the hills above Pollenca.

www.mallorca.co.uk

8/22/2008 8:08:37 AM UTC    Comments 

A-level results are out, the weather is getting cooler, the P45 from the summer job is almost ready to be posted, the wedding season is drawing to a close and parents are set to drop their kids off at university for another academic year. For people of all ages – school or university leavers, those on a career break or ‘grown-up gappers’ – the autumn is a popular season to take some time out to embark on extended GAP year travels or a round the world trip.

Group travel specialist TrekAmerica and its sister companies Footloose and OzXposure offer some great ‘mega-adventures’ for those with the desire to get to the real heart of the countries they will be visiting and have the luxury of time on their hands. Their tours around North and South America and Australasia cater to travellers aged 18 and over with a maximum group size 14 on most routes.

TrekAmerica’s managing director Martyn Shapter explains why group travel adventures are so well suited to those on GAP years:

“A fair amount of our customers are taking their first major trip abroad and are unsure what to expect or how to start planning an independent trip. By joining a group tour, travellers can leave the organisation in the hands of an expert guide whose job it is to seek out the unmissable sights and the most exciting adventures. In turn, our passengers have the chance to relax into the rhythm of travelling, acclimatise to the destination, make some great friends and get the most out of their trip.”

He continues: “The group dynamic is not the only advantage. Travelling in a group also provides an element of security that can allow people to venture to areas they either wouldn’t find – or might not feel comfortable going to – if they were travelling alone. In some countries, even just having a driver can be a huge benefit when you look at the alternatives. Public transport is not always regular or direct; drivers in Latin American countries may struggle without some knowledge of Spanish; and in the USA, many car rental companies will charge astronomical fees to renters under the age of 25. For younger travellers such as school leavers, an organised group adventure is also a parent-friendly option and therefore probably more likely to warrant a contribution to the travel fund!”

www.trekamerica.co.uk
www.footloose.com
www.ozXposure.co.uk

8/20/2008 7:47:01 AM UTC    Comments 

Two cruise passengers on a tour of Norway’s fjords have spent thousands of dollars on taxi fares after mispronouncing their destination.

The pair were separated from their ship after having to spend a short time in hospital while on a stopover in Stavanger. After the medical situation had been resolved they tried to rejoin the ship in Olden on Norway’s west coast.

However the taxi driver didn’t understand the destination and instead drove them to Halden, 560 km away. And they didn’t even realize the mistake, paying the driver the €1875 fare. After spending the night in a hotel the couple discovered the mistake and called another taxi, this time driving 610km in the other direction and paying a further €1950 fare.

The misadventure saw them end up spending more than the price of their cruise on taxi fares.

8/19/2008 12:50:56 PM UTC    Comments 

Foreign exchange specialist Travelex has launched their Global Rewards Card, to reward customers making a repeat purchase at Travelex shops around the world.

Customers who exchange currency pre-trip at Travelex will be given a free Global Rewards Card which entitles them to a discount at their destination. The Global Rewards Card gives customers a discount on the exchange rate or commission if they choose to purchase foreign currency from Travelex again in another country, within three months of their original transaction. The card will be valid in over 20 countries and more than 700 Travelex shops worldwide.

Julian Neal, Global Marketing Director, Travelex said, “This is the first time a foreign currency provider has implemented a global promotion on this scale. “Travelex are delighted to launch the Global Rewards Card at a time when we‘re all conscious of the challenging economic conditions, the card is a win for both customers and for

Travelex.”

www.travelex.co.uk

8/19/2008 12:45:17 PM UTC    Comments 

If you had enough miles to go anywhere, where would you go?

This is the situation facing Bill Shiver from Huston. Mr Shiver has just won 21 million frequent flier miles as the grand prize winner of its OnePass 21st Birthday Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Mr Shiver, who has been playing poker for four years as a hobby, plans to use some of his winnings toward a Mediterranean cruise and holidays with friends.

The contest's grand prize could be redeemed for up to 200 roundtrip BusinessFirst tickets from Houston to Rome, up to 400 roundtrip economy tickets within the United States, or be used to bid on exclusive OnePass Online Auction items including premier sporting events, VIP performing arts experiences and vacation packages.

www.continental.com

8/19/2008 7:47:49 AM UTC    Comments 

Bales Worldwide is giving travellers the chance to experience one of the best events in the world music calendar – the Rajasthan International Folk Festival in Jodhpur.  Taking place from 10-14 October 2008, this incredible festival brings together over 150 musicians to perform at one of Asia’s finest buildings - the Mehrangarh Fort. Bales is offering a 10 day holiday, taking in the entire festival, from £1,650 per person based on two sharing with economy class return flights from Heathrow to Delhi and onward to Jodhpur, 9 nights accommodation (bed and breakfast), transfers and airport taxes.

www.balesworldwide.com   

8/14/2008 3:52:32 PM UTC    Comments 

Thinking about a gap year? Well your kids do. Why not you?

A recent survey from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays entitled 'Gap Years' for Mums and Dads and appeal for single travellers shows that with reasonable disposable income clients are determined to enjoy the fruits of their labours and travel as often and widely as possible.

Tony Maniscalco, Marketing Manager for the operator says, “many of our clients over 45 are playing ‘catch up’ with their sons and daughters who have enjoyed gap years whilst studying at universities and colleges. Some felt they had missed out on the opportunity of travelling to diverse and interesting places throughout the world and experiencing different people and cultures.”

The survey showed walking holidays are a firm favourite because they not only give clients the opportunity to experience exciting and stimulating destinations at a leisurely pace but have added health benefits.

Tony Maniscalco says “our survey shows that single travellers don’t want any special attention but simply seek the friendship, safety and the camaraderie of a group holiday - particularly if they are divorced or bereaved.”

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays offers over 200 holidays in over 70 countries including everything from Botswana and Jordan to The Galapagos Islands and Montenegro.

www.ramblersworldwideholidays.co.uk

8/14/2008 7:49:44 AM UTC    Comments 

Eurostar is expecting to take thousands of shoppers to La Braderie in Lille, one of Europe’s largest annual flea markets, which takes place every year over the first weekend of September. Return fares to Lille start from £55.

La Braderie dates back to medieval times. The city’s streets come alive as over a million people from all over Europe flock to Lille to join the marathon bargain hunt. Over the weekend, the city is transformed into a vast outdoor market covering over 200km of pavement. Stalls selling everything from rare antiques and furniture, to vintage clothing, bric-a-brac and art line the narrow cobbled streets, alongside street entertainers and food stands offering mouth-watering French and Flemish cuisine.

www.eurostar.com

8/10/2008 11:50:44 AM UTC    Comments 

Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyard in South Africa's Cape Winelands will be celebrating "all things bubbly" in December during the annual Franschhoek Champagne Festival.

Franschhoek, the Valley of the Huguenots, in South Africa, is one of the premier destinations in the World of Wine – and is also the “Gourmet Capital of South Africa” – making it the perfect “Grape Escape” for discerning travellers who enjoy the finer things in life!

December 2008 will see the valley, which has over 40 wine farms, celebrate the ‘Magic of Bubbles’, during the annual Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival. A decadent weekend of gourmet cuisine, popping corks and flutes overflowing with the finest South African Cap Classique and French Champagne.

www.montrochelle.co.za and www.franschhoek.org.za/festivals

8/10/2008 11:49:24 AM UTC    Comments 

French airports are hoping to help holidaymakers get in the mood for their trip by offering dance lessons. A spokesperson for Aeroports de Paris said the free classes are targeted to destinations “so if you’re flying to Cuba you can learn salsa and if you’re flying to New York you can learn hip hop.” Participants in the 15-minute lessons hear music and instructions through headphones, with other dance styles on offer including tango, mambo, modern jazz and rock’n’roll.

Can’t see it happening at T5!!

8/5/2008 2:56:19 AM UTC    Comments 

City smartcard specialist Leisure Pass Group has launched the latest version of its popular London Pass with a range of new attractions for Summer 2008. The London Pass gives visitors to the capital instant entry to over 50 of its most famous attractions, plus lots of new things to do with the latest version launched this month.

For the first time visitors can take a unique look behind the scenes in the Household Cavalry Museum to watch the famous Queen’s Life Guard preparing for their ceremonial duties and working with their horses. Or they can re-view all those advertising campaigns they loved and hated at the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising where some 12,000 famous names are on view going back to the Victorian age.

www.leisurepassgroup.com

8/4/2008 2:49:36 AM UTC    Comments 

If you are in, or can get to Singapore, this autumn then it is worth checking out the Singapore Sun Festival (17 to 26 October 2008). This annual multi-arts premium lifestyle festival celebrates The Art of Living Well, through seven disciplines: music, visual arts, literature, film, wine, cuisine and wellness. This year's festival is bigger than before, with more than 90 exhilarating events over a period of 10 days, featuring more than 350 regional and international artists and celebrities in some of Singapore's leading venues.

The Festival begins with a Gala Opening Concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall on Saturday, 18 October. The concert will feature Prokofiev's popular work, Peter and the Wolf, narrated by Robert Redford, accompanied by the Academies Festival Orchestra, as well as a selection of arias and songs by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and the Vienna Boys Choir.

www.singaporesunfestival.com

8/2/2008 5:30:11 AM UTC    Comments 

Are we up a creek without a paddle or simply messing about on the river?

Thanks to the continuing rise in oil prices, coupled to what appears to be a global credit squeeze on consumers, there seem to be some dark storm clouds building on the horizon. Building at exactly the time when we should be enjoying the sun and the sound of leather on willow, the site of players in their whites contrasting to the green courts of Wimbledon, and the enjoyment of messing about on the river in a way that only the Henley Royal Regatta can deliver.

High oil prices certainly seem to have made the world’s airlines think again about the number of seats and flights they choose to offer on a daily basis. The flagship of global travel and tourism, Las Vegas, has also been facing the unthinkable with the number of conventions off 12.7% year-on-year and revenues down by more than 7%. To put that in perspective, Sin City has only experienced one monthly drop in convention business since 1970, and that was in the immediate aftermath of 11 September 2001.

Perhaps at TravelPlus we always like to see the glass as half full, but other factors suggest that the latest blip in growth is just that, a temporary blip. Attending the recent Arabian Travel Market in Dubai it was impossible not to believe, given the projects being unveiled, that the moneymen and women still have great confidence in the growth of travel and tourism. That is backed up by the latest figures from OAG that show aircraft orders are up 35% on this time last year. There is also a small 1% increase, but still an increase, in the number of flights and seats being offered globally. OAG reports that 2,532,754 flights will be operated in June, offering more than 304 million seats.

Talking of OAG, the company recently unveiled the winners of its annual Airline Industry Awards. Singapore Airlines was named “Airline of the Year” while easyJet became the first European carrier to be named “Low Cost Airline of the Year”. TravelPlus had the pleasure of presenting Singapore Changi with its Award as “World’s Best Airport”.

Congratulations to all the OAG winners and nominees. Despite the building storm clouds we hope that they and all our readers have the chance to enjoy the coming months as much as we at TravelPlus plan to do so. And whatever way the economic winds blow, just remember:

“With the wind in your face there's no finer place,
Than messin' about on the river.”

7/4/2008 11:11:26 AM UTC    Comments 

Sanctuary Lodges & Camps who own and manage exclusive boutique properties throughout Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana and Zambia have added the first full-service spa in Botswana. Their luxury lodge, Chobe Chilwero will offer relaxing treatments using locally-made Africology products. It will also feature an indoor spa bath, Vichy showers and private treatment rooms, one of which will be elevated in the treetops overlooking the Chobe river.
 
Chobe Chilwero literally means ‘place of high view’ and the property borders the Chobe National Park, which is well known for Africa’s largest concentration of elephants. The luxury lodge features 15 air-conditioned thatched cottages, each of which have their own en-suite bath, indoor and outdoor showers, private garden with hammock and viewing terrace over the river.
 
Guests staying at the lodge can take advantage of guided game drives in open-sided 4x4 vehicles. Wildlife commonly spotted include elephants, crocodiles, antelopes, hippo, and a variety of creatures on the Chobe’s river banks.

www.sanctuarylodges.com

6/9/2008 11:21:32 AM UTC    Comments 

It’s about to get even harder to travel to the US. From January next year short term visitors to America on the visa waiver plan will have to register their trip online three days prior to travel.

US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has said that he wants more control over those coming into the US without a visa.

The tightening of restrictions means the citizens of 27 countries who currently enjoy the waiver scheme will now have to enter the same details required on a I-94 card, currently handed into customs on arrival in the US, onto a government website before setting off.

The online registration will, however, be valid over a two year period and there will be some provisions for those travelling last minute.

The new initiative will be rolled out this summer but will be enforced to all countries from January 12 2009.

6/9/2008 8:35:26 AM UTC    Comments 

Whether on holiday in the UK or abroad how many times have we heard, I’m bored, there’s nothing to do’, or what shall we do tomorrow?

Well experience provider Dosomethingdifferent.com has expanded its portfolio and now offers over 1,500 experiences worldwide, ‘with something for every taste, be it culture, food or football.

www.dosomethingdiffernt.com

6/9/2008 8:23:09 AM UTC    Comments 

Priority Pass has added six new lounges to its popular program to include even more airport lounges in South Korea, Singapore, China, and the United Kingdom as well as its second lounge in Tunisia.

They have added the Wells Premium Lounge at Seoul Incheon International and in China, the First Class Lounge at the new Tianjin Binhai International Terminal and the two First Class Lounges in the Domestic Terminal. Priority Pass can now offer its members 16 lounges in China.

Priority Pass has also welcomed the Plaza Premium Lounge and the Ambassador Transit Lounge in Singapore Changi’s new Terminal 3. The addition of these Asian lounges means that Priority Pass now boasts over 120 lounges in the Asia region.

In Europe, Priority Pass has gained the Servisair Highland Lounge at Inverness Dalcross in the UK and an additional lounge at Tunis Carthage Airport.

For those travelling internationally, the Priority Pass program now includes over 500 lounges in more than 275 cities – all of which are available to members to use whenever they travel, regardless of airline or class of travel.

www.prioritypass.com

6/9/2008 7:56:10 AM UTC    Comments 

If you haven’t done so already it is time to book that long awaited family holiday. Whether you’re planning an indulgent week abroad or a short break in the UK, holidaylettings.co.uk can help make your family summer trip special. From golf fanatics to dedicated adventure junkies, holidaylettings has something perfectly tailored to meet your need from the 24,000 properties available on their site.

So do you fancy a beach front villa on Barbados from £1061.00 per week or a farm house in Gozo sleeping 8 from £589.00 per week. In the UK there are the delights of a cottage on the Gower from £580.00 per week sleeping 6, or a lodge in Newquay, again sleeping 6 from £450.00 per week that is ideal for rugged cliff top walks, cycling, surfing or just relaxing on the beach.
 
www.holidaylettings.co.uk  

6/9/2008 6:01:40 AM UTC    Comments 

A report from The Passenger Shipping Association shows ex-UK cruising has increased at twice the rate of fly-cruises over the past four years, while more cruise lines than ever are calling at British ports.

A record number of cruise lines (52) included UK ports in their 2007 itineraries, while a record 591,000 passengers set sail on their cruises from UK ports in 2007.

Ex-UK cruises have increased 48% since 2004, compared with a 22% increase in fly-cruises, and the growth is set to continue in 2008, with P&O Cruises, Cunard Line and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines all basing new ships out of the UK, while Royal Caribbean International has introduced its largest ex-UK ship.

Carnival Cruise Lines is offering its first ex-UK schedules and both Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises are dedicating ships to the UK for the first time this summer.

PSA statistics show that cruise holidays in 2007 accounted for one in 14 foreign package holidays, compared to one in 29 a decade ago. 

There is also a high level of repeat cruise passengers, with 51% who cruise once a year and 28% who cruise more than once.

Nonetheless, newcomers are still being attracted to cruising: last year 38% of passengers in 2007 had never cruised before.

6/9/2008 5:17:50 AM UTC    Comments 

Crystal Cruises is launching two Mind, Body & Spirit cruises this December. The comprehensive programming incorporates lectures, classes and workshops given by leading experts and instructors from The Cleveland Clinic, Tai Chi Cultural Institute and the line’s exclusive Walk on Water program. The Mind, Body & Spirit focus is set for Crystal Symphony’s December 7 South America voyage from Los Angeles to Valparaiso, Chile and Crystal Serenity’s December 12 Panama Canal cruise from Miami to Caldera, Costa Rica.

“Our guests are active and inquisitive individuals looking to continue their healthy lifestyles while on vacation,” said Thomas Mazloum, Crystal’s vice president, hotel operations. “The sophisticated programming on the Mind, Body & Spirit cruises allows them to learn about the latest developments in health, fitness and well-being from top experts.”

The guest experts will cover topics from medical treatment and prevention, to spiritual healing and growth through tai chi and yoga, to the physical and mental fulfilment of strenuous exercise.

Cruise fares for Crystal Symphony’s 15-day South America itinerary begin at around £1750.00 and Crystal Serenity’s 12-day Panama Canal voyage begins at around £1800.00, per person, double occupancy.

www.crystalcruises.co.uk  

6/9/2008 4:48:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Virgin Atlantic, one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines, is to be the Official Airline of the 2008 European Ryder Cup Team.

Special dispensation has been granted for the Team to fly direct from London Heathrow to Louisville International Airport onboard a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600 for The 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky, USA from 19 to 21 September 2008.

European Captain Nick Faldo and his 12 man team will fly out on Monday 15 September to defend the Ryder Cup before flying back the following Monday 22 September.

Virgin Atlantic was the Official Airline Sponsor of the European Ryder Cup Team’s last visit to America in 2004 for their record breaking winning score of 18½ - 9½ at Oakland Hills County Club in Michigan, USA.

Sir Richard Branson, President, Virgin Atlantic, said: “It is a great honour for us to be carrying Nick Faldo and his teammates to Louisville. This is the second time that Virgin Atlantic has been chosen to carry the team and the Ryder Cup, and we are thrilled that Europe’s top golfers have selected us again. I’m sure they can do Europe proud and win again.”

4/25/2008 4:11:19 AM UTC    Comments 

TravelPlus had hoped to report in this issue on a glorious period for air travel. After all we had Open Skies to look forward to, the opening of new airport facilities across the globe, new aircraft coming on line, and many carriers, such as Oasis, promising an upgrade to their onboard product and services.

Open Skies has been a reality since 30 March but initially only seems to offer more of the same. The exception is the introduction of a service between London Heathrow and Los Angeles by Air France. While we can look forward to an increase in offer for services between Europe and the US, there is a real concern that at Europe's busiest airports the price to pay will be a big drop in the number of short haul flights on offer to destinations that are not major feeder hubs.

By now London Heathrow's Terminal 5 needs no introduction. We did warn you that the media would look to find fault with British Airways and BAA, but when you are the front page story in every publication from Private Eye to The Economist you know that something has either gone spectacularly right or spectacularly wrong. Sadly the latter seems to have been the case but at TravelPlus we still live in the hope that BA and BAA will get their act together, and quickly. What the general reporting of the story is overlooking, however, is how much certain unionised bodies may have held an interest in Terminal 5's launch not going to plan. Are we now looking at a summer of (union) discontent?

It has not been a great period for the aircraft manufacturers either. Singapore Airlines new A380 has suffered a few teething problems with the fuel lines, while other airlines had to ground their 777, 737 and MD-80 fleets for technical upgrades and/or safety checks. Then came news that Boeing's new Dreamliner has been delayed again and won't enter service until the end of 2009 at best. All has added to the headaches already faced by weary travellers.

Then there are the airlines. Oasis, that had only recently announced an upgrade to its premium product, called it a day on 9 April, the fourth airline in a two-week period to call a halt to operations. The others being the US carriers ATA, Aloha and Skybus. Silverjet, however, did find itself the centre of takeover rumours and admitted to being "'in discussions which may or may not lead to an offer for the issued share capital of the company."

Hopefully what we have experienced in recent months is just a small area of turbulence and that ahead lies calm and open skies for us all to enjoy. Sadly there are groups like Plane Stupid and worse who wish harm and ill will on all of us who do want or need to fly and travel the world. Shame on them.

4/23/2008 8:33:23 AM UTC    Comments 

AGH Hoteles, one of Spain and Portugal’s most prestigious hotel companies, has announced their support for the Earthrace project.

Earthrace is an incredible 78ft wave-piercing trimaran powerboat that runs as a carbon neutral project, exclusively on 100% biodiesel.  The boat will start an attempt to break the round the world speed record on 27th April, from the Vulkan Shipyard, Sagunto in Spain, close to one of AGH Hoteles’ newest luxury hotels, AGH Canet. 

Skipper Pete Bethune said, “We noticed that AGH Hoteles have a great environmental policy throughout their hotels, and also have some amazing hotels in Portugal which is where all the biofuel for our record attempt comes from, so they are a ‘five star fit’ as far as we are concerned. “The AGH Canet is also extremely luxurious with friendly and helpful staff so it will be wonderful for not only our guests and the media coming to Spain for the start of the world record, but also more than comfortable for our crew who will be experiencing the complete opposite as we journey around the world.

ABOUT EARTHRACE: The not for profit project is run as a carbon neutral enterprise, making it one of the world’s most environmentally-friendly powerboats. The crew aim to secure the world speed record to create greater awareness of biofuel from sustainable sources as part of the solution the damage caused to the environment by fossil fuels, and to show that you can do amazing things and still lead sustainable lives.

BE PART OF THE CREW ON THE WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT: Earthrace are keeping one crew place spare on each of the race legs for adventurous people who want to do something amazing and help the environment.  The public can also buy their own world record nautical miles.  All money raised goes directly towards helping Earthrace and her awareness building record attempt and subsequent world tour.  Visit our website for further details.
 
www.earthrace.net
www.aghhoteles.com

4/18/2008 6:23:11 AM UTC    Comments 

Two of the biggest names in British pop music, McFly and Sugababes, will join forces to play a massive co-headline concert at Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, Weybridge on Saturday 12th July 2008. This will be the only time this summer the two acts perform together on the same bill. For anyone with half an ear trained on chart music over the last decade, McFly and Sugababes are part of the soundtrack.

McFly topped the charts with their first single ‘Five Colours In Her Hair’ in 2004 and never looked back. They became one of the biggest bands in the country as hits like ‘Obviously’, ‘All About You’, ‘Please Please’ and ‘Baby’s Coming Back’ went straight to number one, and albums Room On The 3rd Floor, Wonderland and Motion In The Ocean sold by the lorry-load. Last year’s Greatest Hits album summed up their achievements so far, and fans can expect all the hits at Mercedes-Benz World.

Sugababes also released a Greatest Hits album in 2007. Overloaded brought together their 14 hit singles - from ‘Overload’, Freak Like Me’ and ‘Round Round’ to ‘Hole In The Head’ and ‘Push The Button’ - which have sold over 2 million copies between them. The girls added to this enviable catalogue of daring, effervescent pop songs with this year's Number 1 album Changes, featuring the smash hit ‘About You Now'. With all these pop classics to chose from, Sugababes live is one giant sing-along from start to finish.

Peter O'Halloran, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz World, commented : "We are looking forward to welcoming both McFly and the Sugababes to Mercedes-Benz World.   We are especially pleased that this concert will attract a younger audience which, combined with Elton John appearing on both the Friday and Sunday night, means we will see our widest-ranging audiences to date."

Add these two Great British bands together and you’ve got a night in pop music heaven! Tickets go on sale on Friday 18th April 2008 at 9am from Ticketmaster and See Tickets.

4/16/2008 4:35:25 AM UTC    Comments 

If you want a romantic weekend away with a difference, The Howard in Edinburgh is offering you the opportunity to spend a day taking in Scotland’s breathtaking countryside in the car that revolutionised sports car design – The Jaguar E-type Roadster, that was once described by Enzo Ferrari as ‘the most beautiful car ever made’.

You will be waited on by the Howard’s own professional team of butlers, who will pack you a gourmet picnic hamper and provide suggested tour routes - so all that’s left for you to do is get the roof down, sunglasses on and foot to the floor!

The Howard, a beautiful 5-star hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, is offering
The Classic Cars package from £435.00 per person. This includes two nights luxury accommodation including a full Scottish breakfast on each morning, a dedicated butler service, one full day hire of a Jaguar E-type Roadster, a freshly prepared gourmet hamper and touring map for your road trip, and a three course dinner served in the Atholl on one night. The package is valid until 31st October 2008.

www.thehoward.com

4/6/2008 11:37:02 AM UTC    Comments 

A year ago Four Points by Sheraton appointed the world’s first-ever Chief Beer Officer (CBO), Scott Kerkmans.

After a year in office the resident CBO has realised that a dream job can come with a nightmare workload and is seeking a little help and is searching for a Best Brews Summer intern. The lucky lad or lass will assist the CBO with his Best Brews duties including beer tasting, trend research and brewery relations.

Candidates must be over the age of 21 and apply by email to the Four Points Chief Beer Officer, Scott Kerkmans at cbo@fourpoints.com along with a cover letter.

The deadline for applicants is April 26.

4/6/2008 7:13:03 AM UTC    Comments 

Sunvil Sailing is offering a week’s live-aboard flotilla holiday, with learn-to-sail tuition for novices, departing 11 and 18 May from Lefkas island in the Greek Ionian Sea at just £179 per person excluding flights and transfers. For those preferring to take Sunvil’s all-inclusive package the price rises to £539 with return flights from London Gatwick and transfers in Greece.

Beginners, or those with limited experience, will literally learn the ropes under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor while experienced sailors will crew their own yachts in the flotilla. The social side can be lively in the evenings when all the yachts moor up in port together for dinner ashore.

The live-aboard accommodation with or without tuition is based on two sharing a cabin and there is a contribution towards an onboard kitty for yacht damage waiver, fuel, a souvenir chart and other items including refreshments on board for those on a learn-to-sail yacht.

www.sunvil.co.uk

4/6/2008 6:44:49 AM UTC    Comments 

Some holidays to not effect the entire country but are regional. The list is based on information available at time of going to press, and subject to change.

Tuesday 1 April 2008
Cyprus, India, Iran, San Marino

Wednesday 2 April 2008
Argentina, Romania

Thursday 3 April 2008
Guinea, Romania

Friday 4 April 2008
Angola, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Romania, Taiwan

Sunday 6 April 2008
Burundi, Thailand

Monday 7 April 2008
Burundi, India, Mauritius, Mozambique, Philippines, Rwanda, Tanzania, Thailand

Tuesday 8 April 2008
Dominica, Maldives

Wednesday 9 April 2008 
Georgia, Iraq, Tunisia

Thursday 10 April 2008
Nepal

Sunday 13 April 2008
Cambodia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Monday 14 April 2008
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Haiti, Honduras, India, Nepal, Thailand

Tuesday 15 April 2008
Cambodia, North Korea, Thailand, Vietnam

Wednesday 16 April 2008

Cambodia, Thailand

Thursday 17 April 2008
American Samoa, Gabon, Iraq, Syria

Friday 18 April 2008
Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe

Saturday 19 April 2008
Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Uruguay, Venezuela

Sunday 20 April 2008
Israel,

Monday 21 April 2008
Brazil, Canada, Falkland Islands, Puerto Rico

Wednesday 23 April 2008
Brazil, Spain, Turkey

Thursday 24 April 2008
Iceland, Nepal

Friday 25 April 2008
Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Macedonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Portugal, Serbia, Swaziland, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Saturday 26 April 2008
Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Tanzania, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Sunday 27 April 2008
Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Lebanon, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Sierra Leone Slovenia, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Togo, Ukraine

Monday 28 April 2008
Afghanistan, Albania, Barbados, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Ukraine

Tuesday 29 April 2008
Cyprus, Japan

Wednesday 30 April 2008
Aruba, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Sweden, Vietnam

4/1/2008 3:20:13 AM UTC    Comments 

The 10th Bordeaux Wine Festival will take place this year from the 26th to the 29th of June. The Bordeaux Town Hall and the Tourist Office invite lovers of wine, food, festivity and culture to share these celebrations in the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The tourist office have come up with a few ideas including the ’BORDEAUX FÊTE LE VIN’ package deal which includes:

·       Two nights in a double room in a 2, 3 or 4-star hotel

·       A tasting pass (including 13 tastings and other services)

·       A meal at Bordo Mundo

·       A vineyard pass

·       A free access card (available on request) valid for 2 days for the urban public transport network

·       A guided tour of the city

·       A free access card for the main sites, monuments and museums.

·        

Prices per person range from €185.00 (£146.00) for a 2-star hotel, to €300 (£238.00) for a 4-star hotel.

www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com

3/30/2008 9:26:58 AM UTC    Comments 

Taba Heights, Egypt’s most naturally luxurious resort, has confirmed its ever-increasing popularity with UK guests.

New figures just released indicate that Taba Heights is a firm favourite with travelling Brits, with around one in three room nights (38%) being filled by guests from the UK. This trend is significant since the French account for the second highest number of room nights, representing just 12% of the total. 

In terms of actual numbers, the UK also retains top spot, with 28% of arrivals being British. Again, this is a stretch ahead of neighbouring Israel in second place, which provides 11% of arrivals ahead of France with 9%.

Overall, the resort is also delighted to report a 19% increase on occupancy figures for 2007 when compared to the previous year. Occupancy across all five hotels was higher than in 2006, to give the highest overall occupancy the resort has experienced since its beginnings in 2000.

The most popular months to visit were August, October and November, demonstrating the resort’s continuing popularity as a year round destination.

www.tabaheights.com

3/12/2008 4:48:22 AM UTC    Comments 

Arguably ‘the wine capital of the world,’ Bordeaux has even more to offer than its famous Châteaux and wines. A true tourist destination, the region is full of 18th-Century architecture and many outstanding museums. Here are a few happenings taking place in Bordeaux between March and May 2008:

April: Photography Festival (1st-30th April 2008)

Travel photographers exhibit at various venues open to the public around Bordeaux city, from galleries to bars. Ten photographers have travelled across the world to create these ‘works of art’.  The festival exhibitions are free.

www.itiphoto.com 

May: La Nuit des Musées (17th May 2008)

All Bordeaux’s museums will be open until 1am for one night only and entrance is free.  La Nuit des Musées offers a chance to whizz round the city's finest temporary and permanent collections, as part of a European-wide cultural initiative.  Many museums also mark the night with concerts.

www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/

Union des Grands Crus Wine Weekend (17th-18th May 2008)

For one weekend in May, the region’s top Châteaux hold tastings for the general public in central Bordeaux, with many offering visits and dinners in their properties. The downtown tastings are held along the Quai de Chartrons, but all information on tastings out in the vineyards can be obtained through the Union des Grands Crus. 

www.ugcb.net

VTV (Velo Tout Vigne) Le Medocain (31st May 2008)

This bicycle race is held around Margaux and competitors cycle through Châteaux properties that lay on tastings and festivities. This event is the southern Medoc’s version of Pauillac's Marathon, which is run through the vines. The race has three circuits between 25km and 75km, all departing from the town of Arsac. 

www.medocainevtt.com/

Festival des Jardins (May – June 2008)

Bordeaux's annual Garden Festival spreads throughout the green areas of the city.  Every park, from the Jardin Publique to the Parc Rivière, plus a few private gardens, open up and hold special events, from dance and opera to children's theatre.  The aim of the festival is to create a particular appeal for each garden around town.

www.bordeaux.fr/ 

3/9/2008 12:49:27 PM UTC    Comments 

Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year in over 2,130 chocolate shops. The fact that the British are Europe’s biggest consumer of chocolate chomping our way through, on average,  a whopping 10kg of chocolate a year, makes Belgium and in particular Flanders the first place to head for, in the quest for the perfect Easter egg!

Of course some shops are more exclusive than others and for the ultimate in chocolate design, take a trip to the land where chocolate eggs are more than just hollowed out chocolate casts. In Flanders, chocolate eggs come in all shapes and forms and with an exquisite taste to match, there can be no finer examples of the art of the chocolatier! Delicious fillings will make your taste buds surrender and breathtaking chocolate art displays make our humble British eggs look like poor country cousins!

Here’s our guide as to where to buy the most exclusive Flemish Easter eggs:

1. Pierre Marcollini: This exclusive chocolate shop sells the handiwork of the legendary Pierre Marcollini. A chocolate perfectionist, Marcollini also produces delicious seasonal ice-creams, deserts, biscuits and sorbets. Don’t miss his delicious éclairs. www.marcollini.be
2. Cote D’or: Has been sourcing its cocoa beans from West Africa since 1883. As one of the most recognised brands in Belgium, it has just opened its own shop in the centre of Brussels. Sample the rich variety of flavours on offer or if you are very disciplined, drop in just to soak up some of the tempting choco-atmosphere! www.cotedor.co.uk
3. Wittamer: Originally established by Henri Wittamer in the Grand Sablon in 1910, this shop was originally opened as a thriving and well known bakery in the centre of Brussels. Three generations later, his grandson set up its famous chocolate shop in 1965 and it continues to thrive with much acclaim and success. www.wittamer.be
4. Chocolate Line: The creator Dominque Persoone has worked with Heston Blumenthal and shares an enthusiasm in innovative chocolate design. Testing the boundaries of taste, his shop has some interesting flavoured chocolates incorporating fruit, herbs and even vegetables! www.dominiquepersoone.be/dominique-persoone-chocolate.asp
5. Sukerbuyc: Translated in English as Sugar Belly, this is Bruges oldest chocolate shop. With its own tea-room opposite the main shop, a visit to “de Proeverie” (a place you can taste) to try its famous hot chocolate is a must made with pure melted chocolate. www.sukerbuyc.be/index_eng.html
6. Daskalides: Was started in 1931 by a Greek couple in Ghent. Over 70 years later it is one of Ghent’s most famous chocolatiers.  Now a recognised brand name in Flanders, their shops are all over Flanders www.daskalides.com
7. Yuzu: For Nicolas Vanaise, chocolate is a lot more than milk, dark and white chocolate. It is an exotic ingredient that gets more and more character and can be combined to perfection with flavours from around the world such as Yuzu, an Eastern citrus fruit, but also with typical Flemish products such as beer, mustard and gingerbread.
8. Van Hoorbeke: Located just behind the cathedral in Ghent is Luc Van Hoorbeke’s tasty chocolaterie. Specialising in freshly made pralines it’s hard to walk past without a peak at the tantalising creations on offer.
9. Burie: Well known for its trade-mark Diamond shaped chocolates, this famous Antwerp chocolatier displays a different new chocolate and marzipan sculpture in its window. Usually a work of art in itself, this Easter will be no exception to the level of creativity! www.chocolatier-burie.be/
10. Goossens: To find out why Chocolaterie Goossens has become a household name in Belgium jump on a tram get off at Sint-Vincentius Hospital, The man behind the business, Rene Goossens studied chocolate making in Switzerland and France before founding his own business in 1955.

3/6/2008 5:54:07 PM UTC    Comments 

Boisdale of Belgravia, London’s premier Scottish restaurant, was named “Restaurant Of The Year” at last night’s (28th Feb 08) Whisky Magazine’s Icons Of Whisky Awards, which recognise and celebrate the people and places behind the greatest whiskies and whisky establishments in the world.

The London embassy of highland hospitality impressed the judges with its “delectable whisky list and with a staff who exude passion for the good stuff”. The magazine also noted Boisdale’s commitment to the whisky cause with its offering of a range of own bottlings.

Ranald Macdonald, Proprietor of Boisdale Restaurants, says: “At Boisdale, we have always prided ourselves on our extensive selection of whiskies and the way we serve them. The staff and I are thrilled that the judges have recognised our passion for the cause, and that of our customers in imbibing and enjoying the water of life.”

Boisdale of Belgravia, which first sprang to life in 1988 as a bijou bar and restaurant, won the award beating off stiff competition from a shortlist that included restaurants in Paris, Toronto and Mumbai.

For further information about Icons of Whisky 2008, www.whiskymag.com/awards/icons_of_whisky/

2/29/2008 10:17:47 AM UTC    Comments 

Whatever happened to the golden age of flying? When the ladies always wore a heel, donned their finest couture and had hairdos so big they could barely get on board. In those days passengers would sit in the cockpit drinking champagne with the captain en-route to LA. The only exciting thing about flying these days is the thought that we may not all get off the plane alive! Where’s the glamour? Where’s the fun? It’s here.

Following the release of her highly acclaimed debut DVD Come Fly With Me and sell out 2007 tour, Pam Ann, the A-list air-hostess to the stars, is back with a brand new show which she promises will bring the thrill back to flying and includes new films featuring Pam's One World Alliance.

A night with Pam Ann is guaranteed to be the most memorable “in flight” experience of your life. She’s caustic, she’s blunt, she’s biting and audiences should be aware that Pam likes her passengers to dress to impress and leisurewear will see you languishing in economy for the whole flight.

NATIONAL UK TOUR – MARCH TO JUNE 2008
www.pamann.com
 

2/26/2008 11:26:14 AM UTC    Comments 

The list is based on information available at time of going to press, and subject to change.

*= regional within the country.

• Saturday 1 March 2008 
  Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Paraguay, South Korea, Spain*
• Sunday 2 March 2008 
  Ethiopia, Libya
• Monday 3 March 2008
  Australia*, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Georgia
• Thursday 6 March 2008
  Ghana, India*, Iran, Sri Lanka
• Friday 7 March 2008
  Indonesia, Iran*
• Saturday 8 March 2008
  Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon*, Eritrea*, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar*, Moldova, Mongolia Nepal*, Russia, Syria, Tajikistan, Uganda Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Zambia
• Sunday 09 March 2008
  Belize, Bhutan
• Monday 10 March 2008
  Angola, Australia*, Azerbaijan, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, Cyprus, Fiji, Gibraltar, Greece, Kazakhstan, Lithuania*, Russia, Transdniestria, Ukraine
• Tuesday 11 March 2008
  Lesotho, Lithuania
• Wednesday 12 March 2008
  Liberia, Zambia
• Friday 14 March 2008
  Albania, Andorra, Saint Vincent and Grenadines
• Saturday 15 March 2008
  Belarus, Hungary, Liberia
• Sunday 16 March 2008
  Norway
• Monday 17 March 2008
  Canada*, Fiji, Honduras*, Ireland, Mexico, Northern Ireland (United Kingdom)*
• Wednesday 19 March 2008
  Austria*, Holy See (Vatican City), Iran, Jordan Liechtenstein, Malta, Spain*, Switzerland*
• Thursday 20 March 2008
  (Milad Al-Nabi - Prophet’s Birthday)
  Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra*, Argentina*, Azerbaijan, Bahrain Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea*, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Gambia, Greenland, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mayotte*, Mexico*, Morocco, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama*, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines*, Portugal*, Saudi Arabia*, Sierra Leone, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan Sweden*, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, UAE (United Arab Emirates), Uruguay, Venezuela, West Bank, Yemen*
• Friday 21 March 2008
  Due to Good Friday, Holi and the Feast of Naw-Ruz many countries around the world will be closed for business.
• Saturday 22 March 2008 
  Albania, Australia, Belize, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India*, Iran, Israel*, Laos, Macau, Nepal*, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines Puerto Rico*, Seychelles, Venezuela*, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Sunday 23 March 2008
  Due to Easter Day many countries around the world will be closed for business.
• Monday 24 March 2008
  Due to the Easter holidays many countries around the world will be closed for business.
• Tuesday 25 March 2008
  Australia*, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Lithuania, San Marino
• Wednesday 26 March 2008
  Azerbaijan, Bangladesh
• Sunday 30 March 2008 
  Trinidad and Tobago, West Bank*
• Monday 31 March 2008 
  Iran, Malta, Trinidad and Tobago

2/21/2008 6:21:50 AM UTC    Comments 

Click the cover above to read the very latest issue of TravelPlus Magazine 

2/15/2008 3:48:37 AM UTC    Comments 

Boisdale of Belgravia, one of the most traditional British restaurants in London, has surprised some of its regulars by teaming up with The Light Centre to produce a new healthy eating “Energising Menu” based on the theory of human evolution. The Energising Menu, regulars will be happy to learn, is offered in addition to the traditional Boisdale menu with its many Scottish flavoured specialities.
Each dish on the new menu possesses ingredients that would have been part of a hunter-gatherer’s diet that are chosen, prepared and cooked to retain the maximum nutrition possible. On the menu, the way each dish is cooked is explained, allowing customers to learn more about their food before they eat it.
Ranald Macdonald, the charismatic owner of Boisdale says: ”Although I’m a traditionalist at heart, even I have noticed that many people’s tastes are changing, including some of our Boisdale regulars. Certainly you can't have a proper lunch every day! However, that does not mean traditional favourites will be missing from our regular menu or that I’m about to close our new cigar terrace!”

2/13/2008 3:22:10 AM UTC    Comments 

Antigua and Barbuda will burst onto the entertainment scene with its inaugural Romantic Rhythms Music Festival from 12-15 June this year. Two concerts are planned, one at the iconic Sir Vivian Richards Stadium and the other at Fort James, a renowned scenic spot overlooking the ocean. A variety of special events and packages will be launched to coincide with the musical extravaganza. Performers will include international artistes as well as those from the Caribbean and South America, forming an impressive line-up of vocal and instrumental talent that reflects the Island’s eclectic cuisine, heritage and culture.

2/8/2008 4:48:26 AM UTC    Comments 

One of the UK’s most exciting automotive venues, Mercedes-Benz World, is revving into action this January by launching its action packed events calendar for 2008. From festivals and concerts, to sporting events and exhibitions, Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, Surrey, will have them all.

The jewel in the 2008 events crown for Mercedes-Benz World is undoubtedly the eagerly-awaited Elton John concerts taking place on Friday 11th and Sunday 13th July.  Sir Elton will be the first artist to headline a summer concert at the venue – giving a spectacular backdrop for a wonderful night out. The outdoor concerts will be staged within a specially constructed arena at Mercedes-Benz World and tickets are still available for this must see event.

Another milestone event for 2008 is the Brooklands Motoring Festival, featuring the Brooklands Double Twelve, set to take place on 28th and 29th June. Mercedes-Benz World and the Brooklands Museum have again teamed up to create an exciting weekend featuring a series of unique driving trials which will be judged by a select panel of experts, under the exacting criteria of a Concours d’Elegance.

Over two days, competitors will take part in a series of driving trials using many of the layouts used in the 1939 JCC Rally at Brooklands. The trials will take place in challenging environments, such as the Members’ Banking and the notorious Test Hill of the original circuit, as well as on the modern handling circuits at

www.mercedesbenzworld.co.uk 

2/8/2008 4:47:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Given that this week saw an awards ceremony for airlines who serve the best wines in the sky, it seems appropriate that Bordeaux’s Ecole du Vin should announced the dates for three new courses at the wine school in 2008.

Held in the heart of Bordeaux, each of these courses provides the opportunity to learn more about Bordeaux wines. Classes are taught in English by local wine experts, both in the purpose-built tasting rooms of the Bordeaux Wine Council in the centre of the historic city and at some of the prestigious Châteaux in the region.

Bordeaux wine tasting, from A to Z
A two-day course, giving a complete overview of the Bordeaux region: aromas, appellations, classifications, grape varieties, flavours and soils. This training course will enable you to seize all the richness and the diversity of Bordeaux wines through tasting a range of appellations and by creating your own blend using different Bordeaux grape varieties. As well as sessions in the Ecole du Vin, students will also visit one of Bordeaux’s impressive Châteaux for a tasting dinner.
Price: 350€
Dates: 16-17 May, 25-26 July, 17-18 October 2008

Explore the secrets of Bordeaux wines!
A two-day course to improve your tasting and enrich your palate. This course offers you the chance to learn more about the wines of Bordeaux through blind tastings, food and wine matching sessions, lessons about the appellations and tips on selecting, storing and serving wine.
Price: 335€
Dates: 18-19 May, 27-28 July, 19-20 October 2008

The Grands Crus of Bordeaux (Advanced)
Available for those who have completed either of the above courses, this three-day course takes you through the vineyards to discover four of the prestigious soil types of Bordeaux: Médoc, Sauternes, Graves and Saint-Emilion. You will learn about the classifications and appellations, both in the classroom and by walking amongst the different vines. Tastings and lunches in the vineyards are included on the course.
Price: 600€
Dates: 23, 24 and 25 June 2008

In addition to these intensive courses, the Ecole du Vin also offers a two-hour course which is an introduction to Bordeaux and its wines for just 25€ (available from June-September). The Bordeaux Wine School can organise tailored courses for 1-24 people.

Bordeaux is easily accessible from the UK with flights from Birmingham, Manchester, London, Southampton & Bristol via British Airways, EasyJet, Flybe or bmi baby. NB accommodation is not included on any of these courses.

http://ecole.vins-bordeaux.fr/

2/7/2008 4:58:58 AM UTC    Comments 

With February upon us and New Year’s resolutions becoming a distant memory, now is traditionally the time to get off the treadmill and back on the sofa. But this year it seems fitness enthusiasts are bucking the trend and instead are revitalising their regimes and working out worldwide.
 
Flight Centre has seen an increase in the number of ‘fitness travellers’ booking trips away. With this in mind, Flight Centre’s travel specialists have put together five tailor-made holidays for those in search of a sporty sojourn. Whether you are looking to tone and de-stress or want to burn off those lingering Christmas pounds.

• Find your Chi in China: Tai Chi originated in China in the 1820s and has long been renowned for its calming benefits, but is also a great way to improve fitness and longevity. To experience it in its purest form, head to Shanghai and learn from the real experts. Flight Centre is offering a five-night stay in a 4* hotel in the city, complete with a three-hour Tai Chi class to start you off, from £635 per person. This deal includes return flights and is valid for travel between 1st February and 15th July.
• Inner peace in India: One of the most relaxing ways of getting fit and flexible has to be yoga, and where better to do it than in India where it was invented over two thousand years ago? Flight Centre is offering a very special luxury yoga and health break to Trivandrum from £1269 per person, where you will stay in a 5* hotel on a full-board basis. You will enjoy daily yoga sessions as well as a host of Ayurvedic treatments and meals designed to promote wellbeing. This deal includes return flights and is valid for travel between 1st February and 15th July.
• Beautify your body in Brazil: Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian blend of martial art, culture and game invented by slaves in the 16th century. Today, Rio de Janeiro has many schools open to travellers, which are devoted to practising capoeria as both a sport and a fun way to keep fit. Flight Centre is offering seven nights at a 4* hotel on Copacabana beach in Rio from £829 per person. This deal includes return flights and is valid for travel between 1st February and 30th June.
• Feel the adrenalin in Argentina: Tango has long been associated with love and romance, but with its fast pace and energetic moves it is also a great way to work out. Flight Centre is offering a seven-night Buenos Aires Tango Experience, where one night you will be treated to a three course meal and tango show, giving you the chance to learn from the experts. This deal includes return flights and a 3* hotel from £835 per person, and is valid for travel between 1st February and 30th June.
• Joust in Japan: Kendo is the Japanese martial art of fencing and is an incredibly physically demanding sport, perfect for the more adventurous fitness traveller. Although Kendo is taught in the UK, there is nothing like learning it in the heart of Tokyo. Flight Centre is offering a five-night stay in a traditional Japanese hotel, decorated with antiques from the Edo period from £1029 per person. This deal includes return flights and is valid for travel between 1st February and 14th July.
  www.flightcentre.co.uk
   

2/7/2008 3:58:17 AM UTC    Comments 

RBS, the title sponsor of the RBS 6 Nations since 2003, has calculated that the tournament is not only a sporting feast for the rugby fans, but also a honey pot for the economies of the six nations, who will benefit economically to the tune of nearly £400 million.

The overall value to the economies of the six nations (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales) is estimated by RBS to be £393.4 million, with the six host cities (London, Paris, Dublin, Rome, Edinburgh and Cardiff) expected to benefit by £214.9 million from visitor expenditure, match income and employment.

In terms of the net benefit from tourism, the RBS 6 Nations Championship, which kicked off on 2 February, is worth £95.5 million in total. The net benefit to all 6 host cities each year is substantially greater than the £23 million net benefit to Manchester from hosting the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

What is even more significant to the hotel and bar owners as well as transport undertakings is that this economic boost of nearly £400m comes at what is traditionally a quiet time for travel and tourism. Over the course of the 2007 tournament, a total of 767,000 beds night were booked by spectators and in Edinburgh alone, RBS has estimated that occupancy rates in hotels jumps by almost one third.

"The RBS 6 Nations is more than just 15 games of rugby,” explains Stephen Boyle, Senior Economist at RBS. “It is a very real boost for the economies and the local businesses of the host cities and nations, filling what is usually a quiet time in the tourist season. What has been most revealing is the sheer scale of this boost. Over three years, the income from tourism generated by the 6 Nations is greater than the anticipated tourism income expected from the London Olympics in 2012."

The independent research was carried out by Tribal Consulting on behalf of The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and considered the most comprehensive economic examination of the event yet.

RBS 6 National Schedule

The rest of the RBS schedule is:

Sat 9 Feb 14:00 Wales v Scotland (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
Sat 9 Feb 17:00 France v Ireland (Stade de France, Paris)
Sun 10 Feb 15:30 Italy v England (Stadio Flaminio, Rome)
Sat 23 Feb 15:00 Wales  v Italy (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
Sat 23 Feb 17:00 Ireland v Scotland (Croke Park, Dublin)
Sat 23 Feb 21:00 France v England (Stade de France, Paris)
Sat 8 March 13:15 Ireland v Wales (Croke Park, Cardiff)
Sat 8 March 15:15 Scotland v England (Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
Sun 9 March 16:00 France v Italy (Stade de France, Paris)
Sat 15 March 14:00 Italy v Scotland (Stadio Flaminio, Rome)
Sat 15 March 15:00 England v Ireland (Twickenham, London)
Sat 15 March 17:00 Wales v France (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)

2/3/2008 8:44:36 AM UTC    Comments 

There are 10 new Wallpaper* City Guides being released in April. The new destinations are Delhi, Hamburg, Kuala Lumper, Kyoto, Marseille, Montreal, Moscow, Reykjavik, Seoul, Venice. There are also updated editions of the Barcelona, Istanbul, Madrid and Milan guides.

1/31/2008 6:52:18 AM UTC    Comments 

The City of Antwerp hosts a legendary and unique collection of diamond jewellery this Spring. The exhibition focuses on exceptional women who form the subject matter of the “Diamond Diva’s”. Owners include the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Maria Callas, Evita Perron, Marlene Dietrich, Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Jacky Kennedy Onasis, Grace Kelly and Sarah Bernhardt to name but a few. All the jewellery reflects the personality, glamorous lifestyle and tastes of the owners.

True diamond lovers can feast their eyes on stunning exhibits such as the “Moon of Baroda” necklace worn by Marilyn Monroe at the premiere screening of “Gentlemen prefer Blondes”. This stunning piece is adorned with a startling 24.04 carat canary yellow pear-shaped diamond in its centrepiece! Others include tiaras from Grace Kelly, Lady Mountbatten and wedding tiara’s worn by Madonna and Victoria Beckham. The necklace and earrings worn by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and the pink earrings worn by Meryl Streep in the film “The Devil wears Prada” also feature in the exhibition.

The exhibition represents some of the finest and most extravagant jewels ever created with the perfect balance of art, legend and glamour. Taken from the world of stage and screen over the ages and gathered from private collections, high end jewellers and auction houses, the Antwerp World Diamond centre has come up with an impressive plethora of stunning gems which offers a fresh approach towards diamond jewellery.

1/30/2008 4:05:52 AM UTC    Comments 

Readers of Time Out and Tatler magazines will have to agree to differ as there is little in common between each publications’ choice of the best restaurants in London. Guy Dimond, Time Out food editor, explained that the weekly magazine’s list was aimed at people wanting excellent food without the need to book months in advance or pay a huge bill at the end of their meal. So for Time Out there is no room on its list for The Ivy or The Wolseley.

The big winner on Time Out’s list is Alan Yau, the man responsible for founding the Wagamama Japanese food chain that he subsequently sold. Yau's restaurants - Hakkasan and Busaba Eathai - rank first and second in the Time Out guide to the best places to eat in and around London. A third Yau venue, Sake no hana, was also named among the top 20 restaurants.
Yau recently sold Hakkasan and Busaba Eathai for a reported £30 million to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and is now expected to open 20 foreign branches of Hakkasan in the next three years.
Yau recently told thelondonpaper that is own personal favourite in London is The River Café.

Time Out’s Top Twenty London Restaurants for 2008 are:

Hakkasan, Hanway Place, W1
Busaba Eathal, Store Street, WC1
Barrafina, Frith Street, W1
Amaya, Motcomb Street, SW1
Rasa, Stoke Newington Church Street, N16
Fish Club, St John’s Street, EC1
Zuma, Raphael Street, SW7
Ottolenghi, Upper Street, N1
Mandalay, Edgware Road, W2
Hummus Bros, Wardour Street, W1
Bentely’s Oyster Bar, Swallow Street, W1
Arbutus, Frith Street, W1
The Gun, Coldharbour, E14
Nahm, Halkin Street, SW1
Hibiscus, Maddox Street, W1
Sake no Hana, St James’ Street, SW1
Maze, Grosvenor Square, W1
Patogh, Crawford Place, W1

For Tatler both The Ivy and The Wolseley found a place on the publication’s "hot list" for the year, a list that any paparazzi will know by heart if out celebrity spotting.
Tatler’s highest praise is reserved for Scott's, the Mayfair seafood restaurant whose "magnificent revival" established it at the "top of the A-list".

The full Tatler “Hot List” in alphabetical order is:

Le Caprice, Arlington Street, SW1
Chez Bruce, Bellevue Road, SW17
Cipriani, Davies Street, W1
Fat Duck, Bray, Berkshire
The Ivy, West Street, WC2
Nobu, Old Park Lane, W1
Scott's, Mount Street, W1
The Wolseley, Piccadilly, W1
Zuma, Raphael Street, SW7

Tatler names the best restaurants by type and location. Best hotel restaurants in London include Brumus (Haymarket Hotel), Butler's (Chesterfield Hotel), Charles Cheneston's (The Milestone), Cookbook Café (InterContinental), Foliage (Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park), The Grill at Brown's (Brown's Hotel), Grill Room (Dorchester), Lanes (Four Seasons Hotel), Refuel (Soho Hotel) and The Ritz Restaurant.
London stores to get Tatler’s seal of approval for their restaurants include Fortnum & Mason for 1707, Peter Jones for The Brasserie, Liberty’s Cafe Liberty, Harvey Nichols’s Fifth Floor, Heal's Meals, Sotheby's Café, and the Emporio Armani Caffe in the Brompton Road. Museum restaurants on the list include the Court Restaurant at the British Museum, National Café and National Dining Rooms ay the National Gallery, The Portrait Restaurant at the National Portrait Gallery, Rex Whistler at Tate Britain, and The Wallace at the Wallace Collection.
For visitors to London with children in tow, Tatler recommends Frankie's Italian Bar & Grill in Yeoman's Row, Giraffe in Blandford Street, and Smollensky's Bar and Grill in the Strand.

1/25/2008 5:16:13 AM UTC    Comments 

Idina Menzel, last seen in London playing misunderstood witch Elphaba in Wicked, returns in May to lead the cast of Chess In Concert, which receives two performances at the Royal Albert Hall. Menzel, who plays Florence, is joined by Josh Groban whose recent Christmas-themed album Noel was 2007’s biggest selling album in the US, who plays the Russian for the shows on 12 and 13 May.

The musical tale of a love triangle is presented at the Royal Albert Hall in a form not seen before. Chess features book and lyrics by Tim Rice, and music by Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. Originally released as a concept album in 1984, it received its West End premiere in 1986 and ran for three years at the Prince Edward.

1/25/2008 5:12:49 AM UTC    Comments 

2007 was a record-breaking year for London theatre, according to the Society of London Theatre, with both attendances and ticket revenues exceeding the previous benchmarks.

The new attendance record (13,630,810) smashes the previous high, with 1.25 million more people attending London’s plays, musicals, opera and dance than in 2006. Due to the increase in audiences, London theatre broke another record, taking £469,729,135 in ticket receipts.

Particularly good news for many theatres was an increase in first-time theatregoers swelling the attendance numbers. This rise in audience numbers in 2006 and 2007 coincides with the escalation of London theatre’s profile. The arrival of large scale musicals such as Dirty Dancing, The Lord Of The Rings, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Wicked, the televised search for the stars of The Sound Of Music, Grease and Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the influx of Hollywood stars to the London stage, has kept theatre in the news and increased interest.

1/25/2008 5:11:32 AM UTC    Comments 

While the US focus will be firmly on the SuperBowl in Arizona on 3 February between the currently undefeated New England Patriots and the New York Giants, the rest of February and March is packed full of international sporting options. And that is either a good thing or bad thing for the business traveller, depending on your point of view.

The RBS Six Nations gets underway on 2 February with games between England & Wales and Ireland & Italy. Other RBS rugby internationals are scheduled on 3, 9, 10 and 23 February and 8 and 9 March, with the climactic final round of games on Saturday 15 March when Italy play Scotland, England play Ireland, and Wales play France.

Rugby fans will also be heading for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens from 28-30 March. Teams competing in Hong Kong this year include Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, England, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Korea, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Tunisia, USA, Wales and Zimbabwe.

Football or soccer highlights – depending on which side of the pond you come from – include the first knockout round of the Champions League on 19 & 21 February and 4 & 5 March. England plays its first game under its new manager when it takes on Switzerland at Wembley on 6 February, the same day that Ireland take on Brazil in a friendly at Croke Park.
March offers the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Valencia (7-9 March); the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horserace (25-31 March); and the Oxford x Cambridge Boat Race in London (29 March). March also sees the start of the Formula One season with races scheduled for Australia (Melbourne – 16 March) and Malaysia (Sepang – 23 March).

1/25/2008 5:10:12 AM UTC    Comments 

Opening to less than ecstatic reviews, Disney’s latest venture into live action theatre, The Little Mermaid, still promises to be one of the hottest tickets on Broadway for the remainder of the year.
Directed by Francesca Zambello, The Little Mermaid opened 10 January at the 1,518-seater Lunt-Fontaine Theater in New York. A theatre that had previously hosted Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
On Broadway The Little Mermaid joins Disney stable mates The Lion King (Minskoff) and Mary Poppins (New Amsterdam).

1/25/2008 5:08:28 AM UTC    Comments 

The multiple Tony Award-winning musical, Jersey Boys, is scheduled to open at the Prince Edward Theatre (replacing Mary Poppins) in London on 18 March (previews from 28 February), and in Las Vegas on 3 May in a new custom-built, 1600-seat theatre at the recently opened Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino.

Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and how a group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks became one of the biggest American pop music sensations of all time. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide - all before they were thirty. The show features such hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You,” “Oh, What a Night,” and many more.

Jersey Boys opened in New York to rave reviews on 6 November 2005 and continues to set weekly box office records and remains one of the top grossing shows on Broadway where it can currently be seen at the August Wilson Theater.

1/25/2008 5:06:39 AM UTC    Comments 

One of, if not the most exciting Rugby Sevens event in the world, the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens has confirmed the line-up this year’s event.

The 24 teams competing in Hong Kong in this year are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, England, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Korea, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Tunisia, USA, Wales and Zimbabwe.

The Official Tournament Draw for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens will be held on Thursday, 14 February.

The tournament takes place on March 28 - 30, 2008 (Friday to Sunday).

www.hksevens.com

1/16/2008 4:49:37 AM UTC    Comments 

The Campaign for Real Ale today announces the finalists for the prestigious title of National Pub of the Year. Members of CAMRA from across the UK visited thousands of pubs before deciding on 16 regional winners. However, only four of these pubs could be put forward for the national final. The overall winner will be announced on February 15th 2008, on the eve of CAMRA’s Community Pubs Week (February 16th – 23rd).
 
The pubs up for the title of CAMRA National Pub of the year 2007 are:
 
MERSEYSIDE
Turks Head, St Helen’s, 49-51 Morley Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 2DQ, (01744 751289)
 
HERTFORDSHIRE
Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty, Long Lane, Heronsgate, Hertfordshire, WD3 5BS. (01923 282226)
 
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Old Spot, Hill Road, Dursley, Gloucestershire. GL11 4JQ. (01453 542870)
 
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY, SCOTLAND
Blue Peter Hotel, Kirkholm, Dumfries & Galloway. DG9 0NL (01776 85322)
 
CAMRA’s Director of Pubs, Julian Hough, said: “ There are around 60,000 pubs in the UK and to be named the very best is an incredible honour. Each of these pubs works tremendously hard to ensure the standard of their beer is matched only by their warm welcome. It will be exciting to see who emerges as the overall winner on February 15th.”

www.camra.org.uk

1/14/2008 8:10:04 AM UTC    Comments 

Lower back pain affects more than 70% of people living in developed countries* and for many of these sufferers the idea of travelling can be a daunting prospect.  Uncomfortable transport seating and over used or inappropriate density mattresses can cause painful aggravation to already sensitive backs. It is also thought that the quality of sleep is significantly affected when changing from one mattress to another. With this in mind Klass Vaki, specialist in back support systems, has come up with the perfect solution to help promote a restful night whilst on the move.   

Klass Vaki’s Lower Back Support is an ideal travel companion - a lightweight travel size contoured over-mattress, made from specially shaped foam panels of different densities and ergonomically designed to support the natural curvature of the spine where it would not normally be in contact with the mattress. Compared to a conventional mattress it also helps relieve tension, allowing muscles to completely relax, improves blood circulation and even reduces the heart rate, all helping to enhance sleep quality. Even non-back pain sufferers can benefit from using the support system as it greatly increases levels of comfort. 

www.klassvaki.com

1/14/2008 8:09:05 AM UTC    Comments 

We are often gobsmacked at the figures that are put out regarding China and that it is the world's fastest growing market and here is one that took our eye.

For the week long Spring Festive break, or as we know it, the Chinese New Year, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) estimate that 22million passengers are likely to fly during the period.

To put that into context, Heathrow handled 68million passengers for the whole of 2007.

1/14/2008 5:55:54 AM UTC    Comments 

www.liverpool08.com

1/11/2008 10:30:46 AM UTC    Comments 

Twelve percent of business travellers admit to having visited a strip club while travelling on business!! This is according to results from the annual business travel survey from TripAdvisor(R), of more than 1,500 travellers worldwide.

Other results include: 

Twenty-two percent of business travellers plan to take fewer business trips this year than last, while 18 percent intend to take more.
 
With 88 percent flying for business, flight delays and cancellations are, for the second year in a row, the biggest irritant, according to 53 percent, up from 48 percent last year.
 
Fifty-nine percent of business travellers "often" stay at the same hotel chain, while seven percent "always" do. Seventy-eight percent said they are members of a hotel points program. Americans are more interested in points than Europeans.

Almost half of respondents (49 percent) said they often tie leisure time to business trips to take advantage of the company-expensed travel. This is particularly popular among Americans, as 53 percent often tie leisure time into business travel, compared to 28 percent from the U.K.

Top Five Cities for Business Travellers
1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. London
4. San Francisco
5. Washington, D.C.

Top Hotel Chains for Business Travellers
1. Marriott
2. Hilton
3. Holiday Inn and Sheraton (tie)
5. Best Western and Courtyard by Marriott (tie)

www.tripadvisor.com

9/21/2007 3:07:01 PM UTC    Comments 

While it is still September, TravelPlus has already received a number of offers from companies regarding Christmas breaks (some of which have already been posted) from airlines and hoteliers to do something different this year.

However, those who plan early for the event are starting to ask the question, “what shall we get Aunty Flo this year”. Or “I am sure Beryl will like the DVD that’s just out on origami”.

One answer to what to buy is to go somewhere different. Many short break operators organise trips to traditional Christmas markets on the continent. Cresta Holidays for example have a number of three night packages to destinations including Lille for £165.00, Prague for £153.00 and Budapest for £161.00. Travelsphere offer Berlin for 4 days at £319.00 and Great Escapes self drive to Bruges is around £70.00.

If you are in need of inspiration put Christmas markets in your search engine and you will be spoilt for choice. And you never know you might find something for Aunty Flo and Beryl that they will really like!

9/21/2007 9:00:59 AM UTC    Comments 

In an effort to curb pollution in the build up to the Olympic games China has experimented by pulling 1.3 million cars off the streets of Beijing each day over a four day period in an effort to reduce emissions by 40%.

Experts said the air quality during the test was rated as ‘fairly good’. During the test 200,000 extra people used the city’s subway system.

It is also hoped that pollution and congestion in Olympic City will be eased further by the availability of 50,000 bicycles for rent at 230 outlets close to subway stations, commercial districts, Olympic venues, hotels and office buildings as well as in big communities.

Beijing Bicycle Rental Services has so far put 5,000 bikes for rent at 30 franchise outlets. Bicycles can be hired at one outlet and dropped off at another.  

8/21/2007 8:46:29 AM UTC    Comments 

Abu-Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has signed a three-year deal to be the main sponsor of English premiership rugby union team, Harlequins.

The ‘seven figure’ deal is Etihad’s first major sporting sponsorship deal in the UK and the biggest in Harlequins’ history. It will see the airline’s logo emblazoned on Harlequins’ famous quartered shirt as well as on the roof of their Twickenham Stoop stadium in south west London. Their East Stand will be renamed the Etihad Stand

James Hogan said, “This new partnership with Harlequins will provide Etihad Airways with an ideal international platform to connect with our customers in the UK and around the world.

www.etihad.ae

7/31/2007 8:39:03 AM UTC    Comments 

TravelPlus the award winning magazine for business and premium travellers has decreased its carbon footprint by phasing out the printed edition and delivering it by e-mail as a digital magazine. Comments received have been favourable, especially as a result of increasing our distribution to 150,000.

TravelPlus has never been averse to change and we never will be. We will still bring you a product that you say you enjoy reading and will always listen to what you want to see in the magazine.

To read the latest issue in which we take an in-depth look at South America go to our web sit www.travelplus.co.uk

7/20/2007 1:04:48 PM UTC    Comments 

TravelPlus is giving you the chance to win 2 return tickets with Malev Hungarian Airlines from Gatwick with 2 nights at the four star Hotel Flamenco courtesy of Danubius Hotels.

To enter just take a look at our June issue which can be found on our website click on the front cover and then turn to page 22.

Good Luck

www.travelplus.co.uk

6/28/2007 8:01:51 AM UTC    Comments 

I am dismayed by the disappearance of drinking fountains from BAA airports, in favour of customer and environment unfriendly machines selling expensive bottled water. To make matters worse, we are no longer allowed to take our own water through security. So I am now often faced with a choice between buying bottled water (which I object to on principle) or extreme thirst. When using budget airlines, free drinking water is not even provided on the flight! It is such a relief to arrive abroad, where drinking fountains are still available as a matter of course.

Where is the British sense of public service?

6/27/2007 11:47:31 AM UTC    Comments 

The average Brit suffers 55 days of bad night’s sleep a year, with UK businesses suffering the consequences in loss of productivity according to new research revealed today. An in-depth study by Travelodge into Britain’s sleeping habits found that a bad night’s sleep has a number of significant effects on work productivity, which include:

Feeling physically run down (57%)
Loss of concentration (54%)
Feeling low and depressed (49%)
Being more prone to illness (26%)
Taking longer to complete tasks (24%)
 
The study revealed the size of the nation’s sleep deficit as only three per cent of respondents claimed they manage the daily recommended eight hours of sleep per night. Saturday night is the main night Brits indulge in a good night’s sleep and Sunday night was voted the worst for sleep deprivation.

When questioned about what the reasons behind their poor sleeping habits, respondents listed work stress (23%) as the second biggest cause behind long working hours. Forty four per cent of respondents said they would feel more productive after a poor nights sleep if employers offered them an opportunity of a Duvet Day.(Employees can choose to have an unplanned lie-in and come to work up to two hours later than usual on a Duvet Day)

To cure sleep deprivation, Brits are spending a yearly total of £6.7 billion on quick fix rejuvenating cures to help them cope with the effects of a bad night’s sleep.

Chris Idzikowski, Sleep expert from Edinburgh Sleep Centre said: “The research highlights lack of sleep is a widespread problem experienced by many people in the UK and with sizeable effects on work productivity. Ironically, the findings reveal that while businesses are suffering the consequences of employees sleeping badly, in many cases they are directly causing the problem, with a quarter of respondents saying that work stress keeps them awake at night. With this in mind, employers should encourage employees to raise any issues they are having with sleep patterns and try to understand what is causing the problem and help them identify how they can help them improve their sleep.”

4/13/2007 8:19:21 AM UTC    Comments 

Have you heard about the campaign to choose the New Seven Wonders of the World? No? Well apparently voting began back in June 2000 on a site launched by explorer Bernard Weber. From the initial votes a short list of 21 sites were chosen to go forward for the final contest with the winner being announced in Lisbon on 07.07.07.

The current top seven are Chichén Itzá, the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, Petra, the Pyramids of Giza and the Taj Mahal.

If you would like to know more or just vote for your favourite, log onto their web site and join those who have already chosen theirs.

www.new7wonders.com

NB. The Seven Ancient Wonders of the World were all man-made monuments, selected by Philon of Byzantium in 200 B.C. Today, only the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt remain.

4/2/2007 9:30:59 AM UTC    Comments 

The OAG Airline of the Year Awards in association with TravelPlus 

Best Airline Based in Asia
Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways

Best Airline Based in Australasia/Pacific
Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, Qantas, Virgin Blue

Best Airline Based in North America
Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines

Best Airline Based in Central/S.America & Caribbean
Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, LAN Airlines, Mexicana, TAM Brazilian Airlines

Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent
El Al, Emirates, Etihad, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways

Best Airline Based in Africa
Air Mauritius, Egyptair, Kenya Airways, South African Airways

Best Airline Based in Central/Eastern Europe
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, MALEV Hungarian Airlines

Best Airline Based in Western Europe
Air France, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic

Best Transpacific Airline
Air New Zealand,American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, United Airlines

Best Transatlantic Airline
American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic

Best Europe –Asia/Australasia Airline
Air France, British Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qantas

Best Low Cost/No Frills Airline
AirAsia, bmibaby, easyJet, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Blue

Best Economy/Coach Class
American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines

Best Business/Executive Class
     American Airlines, British Airways, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines,           Virgin Atlantic

Best International First Class
British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Korean Air, SingaporeAirlines

Best Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol, Dubai International, New York JFK, San Francisco Int’l, Seoul Incheon Int’l, Singapore Changi

3/22/2007 4:10:21 PM UTC    Comments 

The new digital edition of the award winning magazine TravelPlus is now out click on the following link to view

1/17/2007 9:43:24 PM UTC    Comments 

Early indications with Budget Expeditions’ Asia tour bookings suggest that in 2007, Vietnam, China and India will be some of the company’s most popular destinations. Sales & Marketing Manager Richard Leonard said the tours will do well in 2007 because they include all the names and places young people want to see.

“The reason we put these tours together is because we know they contain sights that are really popular with young people. We’re confident our ‘Vietnam Adventure’, ‘Images of India’ and ‘China Encompassed’ tours will continue to be our top sellers in 2007.

“For example in Vietnam, we take you all the way through the country on the Reunification Express, showing you exactly the ontradictions that occur on many levels, both culturally and geographically. The 19 day ‘Vietnam Adventure’ tour travels from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or reverse, and encompasses the essence of Vietnam – a combination of friendly people, stunning landscapes, imperial cities, serene beach breaks and divine food. Meet the locals on Bex’s Mekong Delta home stay, discover beautiful villages in Sapa, and contrast the caves in Halong Bay with the pagodas of Hue. 

www.tucantravel.com

1/4/2007 7:48:36 AM UTC    Comments 

The Green Monkey Dive Shop in Montserrat has added Dive Redonda to its repertoire.

The area known as the “Kingdom of Redonda” is located just 15 miles northwest of Montserrat. Once in the island’s pristine waters, divers get a chance to explore the underwater attractions including six-foot barrel sponges, giant Southern Stingrays and the occasional Spotted Eagle Ray, Moray Eels, Sea Turtles, Nurse Sharks and Barracudas. There are also opportunities to explore the caves at “The World’s End”, on the northernmost point of the island and divers can search for remnants of a sunken barge along with ships’ anchors, some more than twenty feet in length and encrusted in a myriad of multi-coloured coral.

A two-tank dive, dive equipment, transportation, and refreshments cost $115 USD per person.

www.divemontserrat.com

12/19/2006 11:32:42 AM UTC    Comments 

LUXEMBOURG LAUNCHES CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2007

The entire city of Luxembourg will be transformed for the launch of Luxembourg and the Greater Region European Capital of Culture 2007 on Saturday 9 December,
 
Every theatre, museum, gallery and concert hall in the city will present special programmes throughout the day and a huge line-up of open-air events in the streets in the evening culminating in a spectacular pyrotechnic display.

www.luxembourg2007.org

11/27/2006 11:59:53 AM UTC    Comments 

JACKIE MORTON TO RUN MARATHON

In March/April of 2008 Jackie Morton will be running the 23rd Marathon des Sables in Morocco , with two distinct aims in mind. Firstly to finish ,and secondly to raise as much money as she can for Wooden Spoon , a charity that donates funds to help disadvantaged children in the United Kingdom, a charity that she feels proud to represent .

Jackie will be running a distance of approx. 145 miles over six days , carrying a backpack containing food,water, sleeping gear and essential kit , along with around 700 other competitors from around the world.

TravelPlus has already help raise over £50,000 over the past 3 years and hope you consider making a donation however big or small to this worthwhile cause

So please sponsor Jackie now!
http://www.justgiving.com/jackiemortonmds

11/3/2006 3:40:23 PM UTC    Comments 

"SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND SIR?"

From in-room strawberries and champagne to soaking tubs for two, hoteliers recognize the importance of romance to their guests. Some are even taking it to the next level with fun, sexy Romance Packages featuring Kama Sutra oils, potions and powders, and other goodies designed to inspire Cupid.

Kama Sutra, based in California, has gained a following because of products that have more to do with romance than raunchiness. The company's sweet Oils of Love heat up on contact, making ordinary touch much, much more. Honey Dust body powders come with their own "tickling feather" for application, and the flavors - Strawberry & Champagne, Tangerines & Cream, Raspberry Kiss and Honeysuckle are meant to be good enough to eat.

According to Beverly Pollington-Sirjani, Kama Sutra's Senior Vice President, hotel guests are delighted when they find a miniature collection from Kama Sutra, or other favorites, tucked into a hotel minibar or as a welcoming gift. "It give adds just a touch of excitement for couples - young and old - to find a romantic surprise in their room."

www.kamasutra.com

5/12/2006 11:57:21 AM UTC    Comments 

THE WORLD'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY HOTELS PART 3

Taking the Underground  www.desertcave.com.au
Australia's Desert Cave Hotel in the outback, 650km from Alice Springs, allows visitors to experience dugout style living, with suites, shops and a bar all found underground. In the heart of Coober Pedy, the underground suites are a place to escape the heat, as they remain quiet, cool, dark and airy, with a spacious design and high ceilings. The Desert Cave Hotel, famous as the only international rated underground hotel in the world, has 19 underground suites, but for those a little claustrophobic, it also offers 50 above ground as well.

Woodlyn Park, Otorohanga  www.woodlynpark.co.nz
Woodlyn Park, two hours from Auckland is both unusual and eclectic in its accommodation offerings, with guests able to stay in a train, a plane, or even in hillside hobbit holes. For plane enthusiasts, a 1950's Bristol Freighter has been fully refurbished into two self-contained motel units, while the 'Waitomo Express' is a 1950's rail carriage transformed into a completely self-contained motel unit with three separate bedrooms. The latest edition to the park is the world's first Hobbit Underground Motel, cut into the hillside and sporting with circular windows, it has taken a leaf straight out of Tolkien.

Underwater World
While Dubai's Hydropolis is not yet complete, it's worth a mention as one the most extraordinary hotels ever built. Constructed from a combination of concrete, steel and clear Plexiglas, Hydropolis will be the world's first underwater luxury hotel, offering 220 suites, all sitting on the Persian Gulf floor 66 feet below the surface. Covering 27 acres, the project will feature a wave-shaped above ground 'land station' and the jellyfish-shaped underwater hotel, linked by a submerged transparent train tunnel more than half a kilometre long. Hydropolis will open for the first guests in late 2007.

www.flightcentre.co.uk

5/10/2006 9:08:57 AM UTC    Comments 

THE WORLD'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY HOTELS PART 1

Hotels can be sterile affairs, with a room in Hong Kong sometimes indistinguishable from one in Holland or even Brisbane.

But there are some hoteliers bucking the trend, offering accommodation where the star attraction is the hotel itself, rather than a place to take a break between sightseeing. Flight Centre marketing manager Zoë Heywood said as people travel more frequently, some are searching out unique holidays that very few people would have experienced and our top ten world's most extraordinary hotels start with:

Gone to the Dogs.  www.dogbarkparkinn.com

The owners may be considered barking mad, but the Dog Bark Park Inn is a bed and breakfast guesthouse in the body of the world's biggest wooden beagle, also known as 'Sweet Willy'. Located at Dog Bark Park on Highway 95 in the small Midwest town of Cottonwood, Idaho, guests enter Sweet Willy from a private 2nd story deck. Inside and up another level in the head of the dog are a loft room for sleeping and, of course, a cosy reading nook in the dog's muzzle. Dog Bark Park artists Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin built Sweet Willy and Toby, his companion 12-foot tall beagle statue, and they have this to say about the Park, "Dog Bark Park is one of America's latest additions to the type of roadside architecture popular in the early days of automobile vacation travel when travellers would often buy gas, eat meals or stay overnight in a building that looked like something else. For today's travellers Dog Bark Park Inn offers a glimpse into those bygone days with all the modern day comforts.

The Weather Up There  www.burj-al-arab.com

Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Dubai's Burj al Arab Hotel is the world's tallest hotel building, and at a height of 321 metres, dominates the Dubai coastline. Part of the Jumeirah Beach Resort complex, the hotel overlooks Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Wild Wadi Water Park by day, while at night it is surrounded by coloured sculptures of water and fire. Burj Al Arab is taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 60 meters shorter than the Empire State Building. This all-suite hotel is the epitome of Arabian luxury. With a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers who provide around-the-clock attention, guests are assured of a highly personalised service throughout their stay. Topping all other suites are the two palatial Royal Suites that include a private cinema, rotating beds, majlis and dressing rooms larger than the average hotel bedroom.

Reading Rooms  www.libraryhotel.com
 
The Library Hotel in New York City is the first, and possibly last, hotel to arrange guestroom floors, room art and reading material in the 10 major categories of the Dewey Decimal System of book classification. Floor choices include Science and Maths, Language, Literature, History and Technology, with sub topics for individual rooms. Each of the 60 rooms have collections of books and art exploring these topics. Housed in a landmark 1900 brick and terracotta building, the hotel has been restored into a memorable mansion-style luxury hotel. Personal service goes one step further as guests can request their rooms based on personal interests. On the literature floor visitors can chose from poetry or the classics to even erotic literature, and all up there are 60 rooms like this to choose from.

www.flightcentre.co.uk

5/8/2006 10:15:56 AM UTC    Comments 

TRAVELPLUS AIRLINE AMENITY BAG AWARDS 2006 SHORTLIST

Those little bags of goodies handed out by airlines can go a surprisingly long way to making for a comfortable journey. TravelPlus selects the best in-flight amenity bags of the year.

In-flight amenity kits may only seem a token gesture when they are handed out by cabin crew. But they are clearly one of the ways that TravelPlus readers measure the amount of care that an airline gives its passengers. A record number of readers offered comment in this year’s Airline Amenity Bag Awards. One of the biggest points to come out of the survey was how much the kits have improved since the 2005 poll, when some carriers were criticised for not giving enough thought to what they gave passengers.

2006 SHORTLIST

• Air Canada
• American Airlines
• Bmi
• Iberia
• Virgin Atlantic

The winners will be announced in the next issue of TravelPlus Magazine. To ensure you get your copy delivered direct subscribe today and save 40%

https://secure.travelplus.co.uk/new/subscribe.asp

4/26/2006 4:36:56 PM UTC    Comments 

THEY'VE DONE IT!

Ascend the Nile, the British/New Zealand Expedition team have reached the longest source of the Nile. They did so at 9.27 Rwanda time (8.27 BST). In doing so they became the first to pinpoint the longest source of the Nile, located deep in the Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda, East Africa and the first people to have ascended the complete Nile from sea to source.

The team travelled over 6,700km in three, tiny 4m boats, survived a rebel attack which killed one of their aides and overcame huge obstacles including the crash of their Flying RIB, massive rapids, crocodile charges, serious tropical diseases and horrendous logistics.

They have spent 80 days on the River Nile and been through five African countries. The last part of the Expedition saw them abandon their tiny boats and trek some 70km through thick Forest, sometimes being forced to wade in the fast running Nile.

In reaching the source Neil McGrigor and his New Zealand team mates, Cam McLeay and Garth MacIntyre have not only located the longest source’s precise position they have also achieved a number of other world firsts.

The team will now travel to the Rwandan capital Kigali where a hero’s welcome will greet them. Hundreds of local people have been flooding down to the river as the team passed in the Zap Cats. At one stage the team were forced to erect a fence around their camp as the crowds kept getting bigger and bigger as news of their arrival spread.

The Rwandan Government has supported the team since they entered the country and has been quick to acknowledge the team’s incredible achievements. The Nyungwe Forest is an important part of their fledgling tourism industry. This Expedition and discovery will also reinforce the positive image which the country is trying to build.

Minutes after Neil McGrigor arrived at the source he said” It’s an awesome achievement by the whole team. The planning and preparation has all paid off. My thanks go to everyone who has made this possible and especially the guides and local people who are with us now at the source.”

3/31/2006 9:20:28 AM UTC    Comments 

AFTERNOON TEA IS BACK!

Have you heard afternoon tea is back?  Forget the pub lunch and quick expressos at the coffee bar and indulge in the great British tradition of afternoon tea.

Find out the best places to go for a good pot of tea and a mouth-watering selection of home made cakes and avoid the disappointment of stale tea and curly sandwiches with the 4th edition of Margaret Thornby's Guide to Tea Rooms of Britain.  This is a truly independent guide, there are no advertisements and no-one can pay to be included.  All of the 215 delightful tea rooms have been selected on merit alone. 

The tradition of taking tea is flourishing and all of these places provide a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.For Margaret Thornby, the essence of a good tea room lies in the welcome it provides, the range and quality of teas, and the freshly prepared home-cooked food. 

Available in a handy pocket size it is the ideal travelling companion providing information on opening times, directions, parking and disabled access.

The book is published by Whitehill Publishing, at £6.00. www.whitehillpublishing.org.uk.

3/31/2006 9:06:16 AM UTC    Comments 

THE GREAT ESCAPADE WEBSITE LAUNCHES FOR ROUND-THE-WORLD TRAVEL

The Great Escapade, round-the-world air ticket, which joins together Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, has launched a new user-friendly website www.thegreatescapade.com.

Planning your Escapade is simple and easy.  Travellers have 29,000 miles to use up across the airlines’ global networks and stopovers are unlimited.  Escapaders have the freedom to travel to destinations from Cape Town, Delhi, Bangkok, Shanghai, Sydney, Auckland, Fiji to Los Angeles and more.

Economy prices start from £1016 including taxes and Business class from £3848 including taxes for an Itinerary that would take travellers from London–Los Angeles–Singapore– Hong Kong-London. Travellers can purchase additional mileage from £130 for 1,500 miles up to a maximum of 4,500 miles. 

The website www.thegreatescapade.com gives travellers a step-by-step guide on planning their trip which can then be saved, printed off, or an itinerary emailed to a friend or travel agent.   There are also great route ideas and postcards from travellers who have used The Great Escapade.  Travellers can call The Great Escapade helpline on 0870 190 4466 to make bookings or to speak to a travel expert.  Alternatively, the ticket can be booked through their travel agent.

3/24/2006 11:14:36 AM UTC    Comments 

BEAM ME UP SCOTTIE: BRITISH TOURONAUTS HOLIDAYING IN SPACE BY 2050

Space tourism will be lifting off by 2050*. Reduced costs of space travel and the high speed of orbital flights will make ‘space holidays’ more accessible for UK holiday-makers - at only £575,000 and just three and a half hours away, the equivalent of a train journey between London and Carlisle.

The World Travel 2050 Report - launched today by travel insurer Churchill – reveals that space travel will be a serious option for those in search of a new kind of adventure holiday. Although people are already planning to venture to the edge of space (sub-orbital space where a few minutes of weightlessness is possible) by 2008, a truly orbital space holiday (free of the Earth’s gravitational pull) at a space station is only set to become a reality by 2050.

With the average house price soaring to £2 million in 2050, the cost of a week long holiday on an orbital space station will be £575,000 - less than a third (29%) of the average price of a home in the UK. Putting this in today’s terms, where the average house price is £188,944, the cost of a space holiday would be the equivalent of £54,793.

Mike Ketteringham, Head of Churchill Travel Insurance, commented:  “Although there are currently people planning to pay $200,000 for a sub-orbital space flight in 2008, we are looking further afield to a time where holidays to orbital space hotels are possible. A holiday at a research station with hotel facilities won’t be about luxury or high-tech accommodation, but will give people the opportunity to be one of the first people in the world to spend time in space.”

The World Travel 2050 Report also reveals that technological advances will provide the opportunity for substantially faster travel. In fact, an orbital flight to a space station with hotel facilities will take just three and a half hours.

3/24/2006 11:02:31 AM UTC    Comments 

HANDY TRAVELLER GOES LIVE ON i-MODE

Handy Group has announced that their Handy Traveller technology has gone live using 02's i-mode service.

Handy Group's pioneering new Handy Traveller technology enables customers to browse holiday options and to book and pay for them on their mobile, whenever and wherever they like, simply by sending a one-word text message.

NTT DoCoMo's i-mode is a wireless Internet service popular in Japan and increasingly elsewhere. It was inspired by WAP and developed in the United States and was introduced to DoCoMo by McKinsey in 1997. i-mode allows users to have access to various services such as e-mail, sports results, weather forecast, games, financial services ticket booking and now, holidays through Handy Traveller.

Today's announcement sees early predictions made by key spokespeople for the travel industry stating that 'the public will never use the internet to purchase their holidays online' as ill-founded. With the public's love affair with mobiles still increasing and texting taking over email and phone as the most powerful and often used medium to communicate, Handy Group offers customers a world of travel - quite literally at their fingertips.

For more information on Handy Group please visit www.handytraveller.com.

3/22/2006 2:26:23 PM UTC    Comments